Coronavirus Update #5 - Back off, Jack! Social Distancing

Practising both Social Distancing and Spanish on our terrace. 

The weather here is glorious right now.

In fact, it has been nice and steadily getting warmer since we started self-isolating. Silver lining?

Our days have a bit of sameness to them - get up, coffee together while we watch the news, some work on the computer or household duties. Lunch, a nice long walk, hang out at home to study or paint or play a computer game, a drink or glass of wine around 4:30. Then, cook dinner for my wife's dad (85 years old), drop it off (keeping 2 metres away) chat with him for 20 minutes (making sure we don't touch anything - he really doesn't understand why we won't stay longer). home for our dinner, another glass of wine, watch the news again, and then a couple shows on TV before reading in bed.

It's actually quite a pleasant existence.

The tricky part right now is social distancing. When we are out walking, it seems like the whole neighbourhood is out as well. People are still fairly friendly although we make sure to go around people - sometimes walking into the street. Lots of people our on their bikes, whizzing past us as well.

People generally look happy, to be out of their houses for some fresh air and wonderful weather. But most are vigilant, as well, attempting to keep enough distance.

Yesterday was quite breezy - which made me think - can the Coronavirus be spread in the breeze a long distance? Not a happy thought.

Another glorious, socially distant, walk in the sunshine.

As we walked by a number of beaches, I saw groups of young people - teens or 20 somethings - congregating in groups, playing basketball or hanging out together. There were definitely not social distancing.

These are the people that PM Trudeau and our provincial leaders are talking about when they say that everyone needs to engage in social distancing. Young people are getting sick as well, although not as many. And if they have a mild case, they can pass it on to their parents or elderly relatives. Or to the clerk at the grocery store who passes it onto her aunt. Or.. or...

I remember (vaguely) being in my 20s and thinking that I was indestructible. In fact,. some of my behaviour at that age truly tested those parameters. But we are asking our young people to think beyond themselves and help stop the spread.

It's not an easy thing to do, when you're young, but it's so important.

As of yesterday, there were 424 cases in BC, and 1336 in Canada. Our neighbours to the south have close to 30,000 cases. We need to get a handle on this and getting everyone to engage in social distancing is the best way.

Keep healthy!