Long time no blog! I am using this time of quarantine as a way to get reacquainted with the wonderful habit of journaling and blogging with a first person voice, keeping you and me entertained in the process. You may feel like you have missed a few episodes, or rather a whole season! I will try to catch up as we go. In the meanwhile, stay safe and wash your hands 🙂
I can’t say I didn’t see it coming. I have friends all over the world, starting with an old friend from business school in Wuhan, the city where the Coronavirus started, who has been quarantined since January 23. With his wife, kids, and in-laws.
But you know what? You never hear him whine about confinement, cramped quarters or the economy. I guess it has a lot to do with the discipline, discretion and resilience you find in China.
And when Europe was hit, the US was still looking at the whole thing like it didn’t matter. I saw it coming like a slow motion tsunami. It affected a friend, then a few, then my family, and, finally, myself.
I guess I am not the best at tracking timelines of events in outer spheres, but I would stay that things might have accelerated a bit faster in California than they did in Europe. Which is a good thing, flatten the curve stuff.
I was able to see a few weeks into the future, and that was a good. I designed a plan B, C, D and many more. Discussed them with my husband. Most of the time it when like:
– What if at some point we can’t (insert some crazy thing you NEVER thought you would not be able to do anymore)?
– Oh don’t worry, that won’t happen.
(two days pass)
– Told you!
– Uh Oh.
While I LOVE being right, one thing I hated being right about was imagining our RV park close down. It came as an abrupt notice a couple of days ago. I asked the staff if we could extend our stay to wait the virus out. We are usually only allowed 30 days, then we have to rotate between 3 military campgrounds around San Diego.
I couldn’t see moving as convenient or safe. They said no. Then a few days later, they said they were closing altogether, and, since the RV park was meant for recreation and not living full time, they didn’t owe us any contingency.
Started a day of mild panic. We can’t live in the streets, apartments are unlikely to accept two Great Danes, where would we leave the RV anyway, etc.
In the end, the military campground on Coronado island said we could still squeeze in and stay while the virus lasted. They were closing to holiday makers and we got in at the very last minute before they stopped allowing anyone new.
That was such a relief, I was not looking forward to moving to a depressing trailer park off the highway, or having to be separated from David.
Because, to make things easier, the Department of Defense has forbidden military from taking leave unless you stay local. And his boss still considers him essential. So we’re stuck.
Today we went cycling a bit to get some air. You are not supposed to be in the streets except for food, medical or exercise, but the whole town was out and about. A souvenir shop was open. People were squeezed together on the beach. Some were playing volley-ball.
So much for social distancing. Which lets me think that we are going to get a stricter order next week.
Also, the RV park said they may close after all, which would be disastrous. At this point, my only solace is the parks by Sea World, which are usually packed with holiday makers, might have gotten enough cancellations to get us in.
But in these times of high paranoia, I wouldn’t be surprised if they accepted no new residents.