Covid now

 I haven't done an update on Covid as of late... there is a new variant out there the Delta Variant - I'm sure there will be MANY more variants out there in the future as that is the nature of virus' and how they work.  You get comfortable with the flu in X variant, get the flu shot and low and behold there are three different strands (variants) this year that are not covered by that vaccine.  Welcome to the world.

So this update happens to be on the world and wondering why AM I am wanting to go home so badly.

The US right now:

Germany right now:

seems like Germany has a much better handle on this than the US wouldn't you think?

So, wondering if it's really smart to go back to the states when they are blowing up?  MMM, yeah... I think it is.  This is not going away, it's going to be here for the duration.  The only bad thing about States vs. here.  Because the counts are so low here in our local "State" of Baden Wurttemberg - we do not have to wear masks at work.   The states are different - they have to wear masks at work - at all times.  

Updates in restrictions

 Well Feb came and went without an ease in restrictions. It’s now March 1. We are extended to March 28th. Do you see a trend here?  My first typing was 38th. Which sadly seems appropriate. What is open now?

All places require KN95 (medical grade) masks. I bought a 50 pack recently as they are disposable. 

Open: 

Grocery markets 

Flower stores 

Book stores

Garden centers

Tattoo shops

Nail parlors 

Massage salons (now tell me why NORMAL freaking retail can’t be open????)

You can now meet up to 5 people from two households - not counting kids under 14, because we KNOW they aren’t little typhoid Mary’s at less than age 14  (insert eye roll). Am I over this?  YOU BETCHA. 

Restrictions

donnasworddoodles.blogspot.com

The state government of Baden-Württemberg introduced new restrictions on movement which went into effect on December 12 and impact the USAG Stuttgart community. Click here for a pdf summary of the B-W Lockdown from Dec 16 to Jan 10 explained.

 

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Lockdown in Baden-Württemberg from December 16 to January 10

Contact restrictions
Maximum of five individuals from up to two households. Children up to and including the age of 14 are not counted.

Going out restrictions | Curfews
Through at least the next four weeks, you must have a compelling reason to leave your home.

At night (8pm to 5am):

• To engage in occupational activities. (carry your U.S. Forces ID card at all times)
• Use of medical and veterinary services
• Taking care of animals, such as walking your dog
• Accompanying individuals in need of support and minors, custody and contact rights.
• Accompanying persons who require assistance (children, the elderly, or sick)
• Attending family gatherings from December 24-26.
• Attending religious services

During the day (5am to 8pm) in addition to the above:

• Going to school, childcare centers, and extracurricular activities
• Visiting retail establishments for essential items
• Making use of essential services
• Sport and exercise in the fresh air exclusively on your own, with members of your own household, or with one other individual not living in the same household (still not to exceed five people).
• Meeting up to five people from a maximum of two households, not counting children 14 or younger

Police are enforcing the regulations and, if stopped, you must be prepared to explain where you are going and when you will return home.

Alcohol Ban
The public consumption of alcohol drinks is banned statewide from December 16 through January 10, superseding the ban previously instituted in Stuttgart.

Exceptions for Christmas, December 24-26

• Visits between close friends and acquaintances are limited to a maximum of five people from no more than two households. Children up to and including 14 years old do not count toward this limit.
• One household plus another four individuals “from the closest family circle,” such as relatives “in a straight line” (e.g., grandparents), spouses, and siblings. Children up to and including 14 years old do not count toward this limit.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, December 31-Jan 1

• No exceptions for restrictions on contact and going out. Staying overnight with private individuals is possible.
• No sales of fireworks allowed.
• No accumulation and no ignition of fireworks in public spaces.

Closure of most local economy Retail Stores (December 16-January 10)

• Masks should now be worn not only inside stores and malls, but also within their parking lots

Locally, the following types of stores will remain openduring the day.

• Grocery stores
• Weekly markets for food
• Pharmacies, health food stores, medical supply stores, and drugstores
• Gas stations, car repair shops, and bicycle repair shops
• Banks and post offices
• Dry cleaners and launderettes
• Pet supply stores
• Christmas tree sales
• Restaurants may offer take-out and delivery service only

On post Retail Services

• AAFES food trucks – Visit the Exchange’s Facebook page to find truck times and locations.
• AAFES Main Exchange (PX), shoppettes, and gas stations remain open with existing COVID mitigation strategies in place.
• Barbershops and beauty shops are currently closed (December 16-January 10th).
• Commissaries remain open with existing COVID mitigation strategies in place.
• Family & MWR Facilities – Visit the FMWR website for current services and hours and like their Facebook pagefor the latest updates.
• Postal Hours Click here for Holiday Postal Hours.

Updates from Europe (covid and such)

 I had a long conversation with my brother Robert the other night (need to call David on occasion but called Rob because he had texted me to give him a call - that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)  Anyway I digress.  We had a conversation about how things are going with COVID there vs. here.  I note the differences all the time but don't really document them and as I print this book out annually for posterity (of my kids ever have kids and so forth) I figured I would put the progression here in a timeline.

March of 2020 I was in Italy working and boating to Malta.  We had heard of Covid but in vague terms of illness, rapid spread, some caution when traveling.  We were give the option to use a medical mask in the airports and in the planes if we so choose.  i went and picked one up but honestly didn't use it.  I happily went through Paris' crowded Charles De Gaulle airport oblivious to the world.  Well, not quite oblivious, but not really too concerned. On our return we flew right back through Paris - still caution to the wind, no mask for me.... and home.  Those who returned through Millan were screened for temperatures before getting on planes.  Hind sight being what it was some were probably exposed on that layover.

Flying became something you avoided - even for work.  You could take a train easier with less restrictions for quarantine at the distant end than you could if you flew.  So when we flew for work we made every attempt to use Military air where it was "bubble to bubble" aka base to base to avoid unnecessary exposures.  Commercial flying automatically landed you into quarantine for 14 days and testing.    

April/May infections were growing in Portugal, Sweden, Poland and eastern block countries.  There was a threshold for infection rates of greater than 3% I think it was then you were restricted to local travel only no one really in/out unless it was for work, medical etc..  Most of the heavy restrictions and enforced isolation were in Northern Italy where everyone was hit hard.  You were not allowed to travel anywhere near there, if you lived there you were to stay home - period.  You only came out for groceries.  Isolated restrictions stayed in place until this fall.  Your area may have curfews to not be out after x time (because stores were closed after that time and there was no reason to go out).

June, the whole country of Portugal was removed from our "green" list - free to travel.  They were now restricted and we could not go there.

July Czechoslovakia was added to the red list, poland was on the watch list 

August France went on the red and Belgium was added to the watch list. BUT Poland and Czechoslovakia came off... they were free to travel again.

September Iceland, the UK, Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands as well as Switzerland and Austria and Croatia were added to the red list BUT Portugal was removed, which is funny because the only way to get there was to fly as France was red... so we would still be faced with a 14 day quarantine if we flew there... so... we opted out still.  By the end of the month it was back in the red, so travel there wouldn't have been too smart regardless :)

We opted to drive to Berlin and Poland as we were still "green" even if Poland was on the "watch" list... if it had gone red we simply would have quarantined when we got home.  I couldn't DRAG Butch to a red country... He didn't even want to do Berlin but after he went he said he was glad he had gone.

By the first of November it was easier to count the green countries and Germany was no longer one of them... Norway was the LAST hold out and they finally went red on November 11th.  This is honetly a lot more fun with a visual, but work email failed to send to my home address.  it's not like the pictures were secret squirrel - it was just a fun representation of the spread and the lockdowns. 

Now what does lockdown consist of?  Well, when you are a red country and you are military you are to stay within the boarders of your host nation - that's OK because Germany is quite large... so really some took advantage of that.  We're old, we stayed home once it went red.  I still went out and about and went to the antique store, but really, we just stayed home mostly.  

Christmas markets were closed.  Where they used to have 50 - 100 vendors they were down to 5 or 10 scattered across town centers and platz.  Then in the last week they have taken that even further and shut those vendors down completely.  AND as of last night I saw that they even shut off the Christmas lights in an effort to keep people at home.  German New Years is HUGE.  they are not selling fireworks this year... that is unheard of here.. There have always been mask mandates for stores - no mask no entry - really - you will be yelled at if you are doing something wrong here, so you just do it.  You an be fined $1,000's of dollars here for not wearing a mask in stores or designated mask areas.  Anyway - the latest shutdown even shut home stores down.  literally the ONLY things open until the new year are groceries and even some of those are shut down as well.  Downtowns are ghost towns and it's a little sad here... (OK a LOT sad here)...

there is an interactive map found here; https://webcritech.jrc.ec.europa.eu/modellingoutput/cv/eu_response/eu_response.htm

But honestly with Germany having a high rate (although you will see there are really "shades" of red" rather than full red)... it's unsure if folks will let us IN from Germany. Then getting back in may be problematic too depending if you are going from a "redder" country to a "less red" country - ha!

First world problems for sure!!

COVID updates

 

World numbers - We haven't looked at these numbers since July 26th

We're now 4x more than we were then.  Scary!

THIS is a good wave.. the 2nd... but look at all summer when we were low... and we're not doing much more for protection than we were then... BUT we're also back in lockdown.  Drat it.  I don't really think anything is going to help us.

THIS is a worse wave - but note that the summer in the US was way worse than it was here... so I'm glad that we did travel here over the summer a bit.  BUT the wave on both locations is about the same... so we're screwed.  

So there you have it for the history books... and for my posterity as I print these books out yearly

The COVID update and a short Saturday adventure!

Well, technically it's been 131 days since the "lock down" began, but we're not "really, really" in lock down anymore.  What do I mean by that?  Well, we have more freedom to come and go and stores are less strict about visitiontsion and keeping a strict limit on the number of persons who can enter at a time.  they still count you to some extent but you are allowed to enter shops fairly freely as the limit on numbers is pretty high.  I would honestly have to go and look it up as to how many are allowed in at a time anymore but it's not the tiny number of 10-20 for a small store so it's easier to get in without a wait.  Case in point.  Antikissimo.  A place I had wanted to go for quite a while but had been putting it off was OPEN without appointments.  VERY nice to have that option of just going in and browsing without thoughts of "oh, crap, I need an appointment".  

So you guessed it, I went there this weekend.

Their facebook site will give you an example of what they have:https://www.facebook.com/antikissimo/

And it's just as fun in person... it's dirty and dark and a mystery around every turn.  When you come out you HAVE to wash your hands...yeah, my kind of junk store - ha!  They had lots and lots of STUFF and what did I come out with?  Nothing but pictures

This is the "open" side where there are no covers over the glass roof - yes this is a converted green house that they use.  Its just chuck full of goodness!

The lights were hanging LOW on this side of the place... and you can see into the back where it's dark and there is a mesh over the ceiling... yes, it's like that throughout with dirt floors and concrete strips for the tables for growing I would imagine... or maybe the dirt was where they used to grow things and the concrete strips were for walking?  yeah, that would make way more sense... but with this conversion they have moved all of the items off of the dirt and onto the concrete so there is a strip of "stuff" in the middle of the dirt walkway and barely a walkway straddling the dirt/concrete ...it's definitely cramped.

FUN keys!

What I really love are the glass dry good drawers from old hosier cabinets... these all had some cracks/breaks on the corners so they didn't come home with me at $45 for the set... but I think if I can find some without breaks I will grab some... they had the smaller version in singles in there but again, all with breaks on them, so nope.  Not going to pay top dollar for ones with issues.  I can pick up large ones for 10 Euro and small for 6 euro if I search around... so we'll see if I ever come up with any.

BLUE demijohns... they did have a few but they were 50 euro for the larger and honestly I don't want to pay that for one.. so I passed.

I truly thing it's coming down to want vs. need anymore.  I have zero NEED for this stuff and unless it really makes me smile and I think "oh, I have the PERFECT spot for this - it's not coming home with me.  I have enough junk :)  it is soooo much fun to look though, isn't it?

I WAS going to the flea market in downtown this week too but there were protests scheduled so we're advised to stay away from those areas... and of course it was all day on Saturday - Sunday the sidewalks are pulled up around here - nothing is open... so I did my running in the morning even went to the grocery store - then went home and took a nap... ah Saturdays!  Love them!!

I did go last weekend - did a LONG walk as I was learning the whole "where to park" thing.  I went and tried to park under the train station - that was a bust due to construction... BUT I found the parking under the shopping areas there... managed to park at the WRONG end of the parking area, but that was OK too - I ended up walking about 2 or 3 miles by the time it was all said and done, but no harm, no foul.  I could use it!  I wandered the market hall and the flea market and even the flower market before making my way back to the car and heading to the base to their thrift store.  All was fun during that weekend too - flea markets here in Germany had remained closed until three weeks ago - so opened for the first time on the 4th - I didn't go that weekend... BUT I will be going again - it's fun to wander the market... I need to learn to slow down and get a coffee while I'm there too - but I'm solo so I'm less likely to stop and just watch people.  Next time, next time...

SO on to COVID.  The US is really NOT doing well with controlling this crap at all  I am super happy I'm in Germany at this point - the numbers here are looking SO much better over all in europe.  I complain that we are not allowed to fly anywhere yet, but I also have a paranoid husband who is digging his heels in... so I guess I'm stuck in Europe with just little jaunts out and about.  I need to plan my birthday trip too (*yeah, you can read the snark in that one... wtf, plan my own birthday trips?).... Anyway, I have something in mind.

So for historic reasons as I print these out yearly for my journal - here are the numbers as of today.

So you think the numbers being so different and the US is super high - you really have to look at the true statistics per million population.  The fact is that USA has 4X the death rate per 1M population.  And astronomically more on the total cases per 1M population. now is that there is more testing in the US?  Who knows... but the percentages are much higher there than here.

There is also the daily new cases - again, this isn't really a 1 for one without taking into account teh massive population difference but the trend is what I look at - look at Germany - spiked then went down to a nice LOW number of daily cases....

THEN look at the US... they never really did get that downward trend from the initial spikes... they just kept on climbing... this is one case where freedoms that americans demand make our country look like the "florida" of the world as someone put it so aptly.  Hopefully with mandated masks in stores things will calm down over there... but I'm not so sure... we shall see, we shall see...

AGAIN - actually GLAD I'm in Germany at this point... I feel safe here... I don't feel like I'm exposed unduly to infections.  We did have a scare in our building this last week... we're all masking up in public areas now... for the most part.  So we're aware and I'm working in an area with military who are ordered to wear masks and comply because, well, it's an order!

COVID day 80 of "lock down"

Well on some fronts the "lock down" is easing.

As of June 3rd this was the update for Germany from my work.

-News Around the Theater:

-Germany:

•       31 May, German government is reportedly planning a 100 Euro stimulus package to  help with COVID-19

•       2 June, Gottingen city, Saxony, saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases due to private parties  over the weekend

•       1 June, police announce a decline in Corona Regulation violations over Pentecost weekend

•       2 June, Leisure sports and Gyms can resume, with specific regulations – You have to be healthy and have no signs to go to a gym, maintain proper sanitation, and practice social  distancing

•        

-Norway:

•       15 June, Norwegians will be allowed to travel to Denmark for day trips, while  keeping the borders with Sweden and Finland closed

 

-Italy:

•       2 June, the Italian President warned that COVID-19 is still a threat, after top  doctors state the virus no longer exists in Italy

•       3 June, people arriving from the EU, UK, or Schengen zone will no longer be  forced to quarantine for 14 days

 

-Spain:

•       26 May, Spanish government will lift 14 day quarantine requirement for those  entering the country after 1 July

•       3 June, the Spanish Health Minister announces the country has not had a  COVID-19 casualty in two days

This is all fine and good but the Military and/or civilian work force is STILL not released to travel beyond 100 miles of base AND can't have over night stays anywhere just yet...  We're hopeful this change will be seen this week!!!

I'm not even sure I know what to say about any of this anymore in light of the whole George Floyd death, riots and upheaval at home.  I'm telling you there is just no joy in this year.

COVID, Earthquakes in SLC, now riots.  Good heavens what else can this year bring?

I guess I shouldn't ask... I may well find out.

I have thought about commenting multiple times on the Floyd riots.  I have commented a few times and regretted it immediately as there is NOTHING I can say to change what is going on.  I don't condone the police for their treatment, I don't condone the rioters for their violence and destruction.  I get the pain, as much as a white person in the US can get it.  I don't live it, I am white, and I will never get it.  I empathize and it breaks my heart, but honestly I'll never "get it".  That makes me sad that there are some experiences in this world that we as different people from different backgrounds can never get.

I have a lot of empathy for those who are facing difficulties.  I have similar (never to equate to the same) experiences living overseas as an American who struggles with the local language and customs.  I'm looked down on and I get why folks look at me the way they do.  The thoughts that Americans have when there are foreigners in their country – you are HERE learn the language…. But now being almost 55 and struggling with the whole learning curve and brain that point blank does not want to function in English much less German most days I have a lot of empathy for those in the states struggling to learn English – it’s HARD to learn a new language when you’re older.

But I digress.  The point is, there can be empathy and there can be support but there cannot be “knowing” until you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.  So, be kind to one another.  You don’t know what that person has struggled with. 

I want to blame ALL my woes on old age but it’s really a combo of Chemo and old age that is doing my poor wee brain in.  It’s had enough.  It can’t function to figure some things out… it tries… I swear.  I will try to think of the German word and the Italian one will come to my mouth.  I don’t get that disconnect, but hey, it is what it is.

So – life right now?  Sucks in some ways, is good in some ways.  I’m alive.  I’m at exactly 3 years to the day from when I had a horrible bleed that lead to the diagnosis of cancer.

I’m due for scans in July.  I still worry every freaking day that it’s back, that it’s spread and when I get a rattle in my chest when I cough, I worry three times as hard – have any aches and pains I really wonder what the blazes is going on in there… were there signs that I ignored when I had cancer?  Yeah, probably… will I still feel like a hypochondriac every single time I have a pain – you betcha.  I try to reign it in and NOT panic, but most days are searching pain areas and reoccurrence of cancer.  So, yeah.  Fun times.  I wonder if it will ever end – the worry.  I doubt it, but I can hope.

Covid day 65

Today is the end of our phased shopping.  No more red/white/blue shopping.  Thank goodness!!  No more waiting around to get things from the store while on base.

WOW... Just wow... BUT from what I can observe here in Germany it's not horrible.  They are opening.

What I'm seeing in Germany reflects in the numbers:

Military are now able to use public transportation to come and go... but masks are required and social distancing where possible.

Here is the latest from our boss.

Next USAG Stuttgart Virtual Town Hall is tomorrow, 21 May @ 1830-1915 https://www.facebook.com/events/551953782181448/  (*they have been having a number of town hall meetings....)

-Now that the Barber Shop has re-opened, relaxed grooming standards will no longer be permissible.  Please make sure your uniform and grooming standards adhere to Marine Corps policy.

 

-News Around the Theater:

-Germany:

-16 May, German border crossing between France and Switzerland began to reopen with restrictions

-18 May, Germany’s Foreign Minster states that travel for the summer would resume with restrictions

–      People can use these border crossing for family or personal reasons (Visiting spouse/partner, visiting relatives,  custody and handling matters of children, and participation in important family events)

-14 June, Germany’s worldwide warning against travel will be rescinded

-15 June, borders are allowed for tourist and shopping tours – people entering Germany from non-EU countries will be forced into a 2-week quarantine

 

-Norway:

-1 June, Amusement parks can reopen

-15 June, small events may increase to 200 people, soccer season may begin without spectators, and water parks and pools can reopen

 

-Italy:

-19 May, Italian Foreign Minister is appealing to German tourists as it plans to reopen and rescind the 14-day mandatory quarantine in mid-June

 

-Spain:

-19 May, Spanish Government agrees for request to extend State of Emergency until 7 June

 

-Georgia:

-19 May, Georgian Prime Minister stated that restrictions must remain in  place, but the country does not need the State of Emergency or Curfew at the same time

 

-Memorial Day 96 – MARFOREUR/AF will conduct the upcoming scheduled 96 from Thursday, 21 May @ 1630 – Tuesday, 26 May @ 0730.

 

-Reminder for the upcoming Memorial Day 96:

                -As per General order 1B:

                                - Travel within 100 miles staying within Germany

   - When traveling within 100 mile radius, it’s incumbent on you to know and follow different state/municipalities rules of the host nation

                                - NO overnight stay authorized

   - Public transportation authorized, but adhere to requirement for facemasks and social distancing

 

****SOCIAL DISTANCING****

 

%%%% WASH YOUR HANDS FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS %%%%

The USA isn't fairing as well...

COVID day 57

I missed the 4 million mark a few days ago (Sunday I believe)  now we're edging up on 4.5 million just a few short days later... how scary is that?  

The US is edging up there too at almost 1.5 million... 

Germany is still doing well - with restrictions being eased this week.  I should post what they are easing now... They now allow zoos and parks (not sure what they are allowing).  They are, however still insisting on masks in stores now.  I finally relented and bought some better fitting masks.

The good news is the Germany is still very low overall - we're lower than Russia, UK, Spain, Italy and France.  

What else?  

Germany is easing restrictions slowly.  They are opening salons and parks and zoos....  I don't remember what else.

Suffice to say that things are still VERY weird.  Masks are still required everywhere you go - e.g. stores, business.  BUT they are opening... so I guess that's a plus.

COVID today - day 41 telework

World Numbers

And who knows if these numbers are real?  China wasn't counting properly for a while and they increased their numbers overnight by half... but we're still not convinced they are the true numbers.  I guess we'll never know.

I have been out of my house three times since this started.  I went to the commissary (and a few other stores while I was out) once, work once, and the market once.  Yep, that's the extent of it... not even going on walks... which I really SHOULD do.

The states are at $1.00 per gallon for regular gas in some spots which is sad since they really can't go far.  I guess our gas is the same price here in Germany, but I haven't been to the BX in 41 days to purchase gas, so I have NO idea!

- Schools have been closed since mid March and are teaching remotely on-line. This will continue for the rest of the school year.

- There are lines / tapes inside the stores to keep people 6 feet apart.

Here in Germany the German stores have plexiglass cases over the cashiers. As of today Germans are required to wear masks for the first time.  Until now it's been optional.  Now they are required to go into stores and/or public transportation.

- Bars and restaurants only for home delivery & pick-up.

I haven't used this ever here, but it's the same in Germany

- Parks, beaches and walk-in places are not accessible to the public. But will begin to open Monday.

Germany never really closed walking areas to my knowledge mostly because their whole country has walking paths all over.

- All sports competitions have been cancelled.

- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned.

Germany cancelled spring fest AND OKTOBERFEST.  Talk about a shock to the system.  Linda, Gail and Suz are coming this winter for the Christmas Markets... and right now we have no idea if they will happen or not... sad, but true.

- Weddings, family celebrations and birthdays have been cancelled. Funerals limited to 10-20 people.

- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays!

- Young kids can’t understand why they can only see grandparents & other extended family and friends on a screen or thru a window if someone visits in person.

- Hugs and kisses are not given.

- The churches are closed or online.

- We have to stay away from each other more than 6 ft.

- Shortage of masks and gloves in hospitals.

These are a hot commodity around here and there are lots of folks making them and selling them.  I have resisted so far as I think it's a short time requirement... I have one fabric mask left over from cancer treatments and a few paper ones from then as well... I will be using a mask when I return to work - but only when I go outside I believe.

- There are fewer ventilators than there should be. (personally I think this statement is wrong - I think there are fewer than we needed in this instance, but this is a weird instance)

- People are wearing masks, some places even REQUIRE that you wear them to enter! People are even making their own masks for sale or donation to medical facilities!

Germany the mask is required and has been required to enter the BX or Commissary for a few weeks now.

- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person.... IF you can even find them!

Commissary here continually runs out of cheese products.  Not sure why that is, but there hasn't been shredded cheese when we have gone into shop for the last 4 weeks.  We bought block cheese... we have the technology to shred our own.

- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything. (24 hour stores are even closing by 9pm)

See prior post on how the Commissary is handling it here.. there are set days for all shopping.  The Shoppets and quick stores are stocking more milk and such, but you have SET days you can shop at the main stores.  Period.

- Store check outs, pharmacies and even fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between employee and customer. Have to reach around or under to pay!

see above about plexiglass cages around the german cashiers.  I think they had the same at the commissary, but honestly it's been about 3 plus weeks since I have been.

- You can't find isopropyl alcohol easily. .. supply per person is limited.

- Australia, USA and Europe have closed their borders.

True - travel bans are still in effect.  

- Fines are issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. (Transport workers, Essential services etc)

- No one is travelling for leisure. Airports empty. Tourism has the worst crisis in history.

COVID today

Day 30 of lockdown (aka day we were sent home to telework)

Today (well, yesterday really) Germany announces their plan to return to normal:

Chancellor Angela Merkel is moving forward with plans to slowly start returning Germany to normal, allowing some smaller shops to reopen next week and children to begin returning to school in early May.

Most of the restrictive measures will remain in place at least through May 3 and many aspects of public life will be limited for weeks and months to come. Restaurants, gyms, and bars will stay closed indefinitely and no large events such as soccer matches, concerts and festivals will be allowed before the end of August at the earliest.

Germany will need to ease restrictions in “small steps,” Merkel said in Berlin on Wednesday after consulting with the country’s 16 state leaders. “We have made some progress. But I do have to stress that this progress is fragile,” she added. “This is a situation in which caution is the order of the day and not foolhardiness.”

Germany’s latest virus figures appeared to justify that approach. The number of new cases climbed for the first time in a week, while the daily death toll increased, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The counts as they stand today:

 And while the US numbers look horrific, the new daily cases really are leveling out.  The amount of care provided in the states is still tenuous at best and there is still a concern for overwhelming the health systems when opening up to the new normal...

Currently the new normal seems to be opening hair dressers and smaller stores... then opening schools again.  So we'll see just how much really opens up here.  I know they are stating that there will be no large gatherings in the US for the rest of the year.  Now we have concerns about our planned Christmas Market Trip... it may be a historical trip instead.  Sigh.  Best laid plans of mice and men, eh?  I guess I can find out if we can transfer those flights to different times as they are military purchased flights... 

Our trip to Vegas in August may be a very interesting one if they have not opened much and have no large gatherings authorized there... we may just be flying in, looking around and leaving again and heading north to see family instead.  Hard to know for sure just what this will look like.  I guess it may not be good to have bought tickets early in this instance, eh?  

Oh, well, we'll work with what we have as it all moves forward - we still have 7 months until they are supposed to be here and it can all change tomorrow.  Here's hoping it all works out and markets are still active and possibly less crowded just because there was a virus and folks are scared off... would make getting around and through them much easier :)

We're all still teleworking however the plans are being drafted to return to work... so it's coming... too soon for some and not soon enough for others... but it's coming :)