Update:
Seems like the psychological terrorism on MIL has worked. GP just dropped off her delivery from Lidl and she has agreed not to go out. Phew.
My lessons are beginning to cancel. One family has taken off for Miami where mom is from. Another has headed to their mountain home. Yet another is hiding out at home on the border of the "red zone". Yikes.
xxoo me
View from Convento de Cristo once a Templar stronghold
Monday, March 9, 2020
So here's the scoop.
I made it back from the UK. No controls on the way there but they checked our temps on landing here. Schools are closed. This is week 3. At this point they'll be going through July. I'm soooo glad I quit! I'm still tutoring one on one at students homes. Gyms, cinemas, events are all cancelled. Anywhere crowds would gather in close proximity. Soccer matches are going on but without spectators. The big dilemma is whether the station that owns the rights to the televised games will show them on regular TV. THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT.
Kids home from school means the folks upstairs are home 24/7. Vacuuming. Arguing. The poor kid who has no life under normal circumstances, now can't even escape to go to school. He spends all day studying. He actually dared to lie on his bed working and his mother screamed, "Sit up! During the day you have to sit up to study. You can studying lying down in the evening." Someday he's gonna snap and we'll see these people on the front page of the paper.
There is no panic. No panic buying. No mobbing the hospitals. Many of those in quarantine are just thrilled to be at home from work. We are not yet within the quarantined area though it's a short drive from here. Actually went yesterday to just outside the "red zone" to pick up plants at a great garden center. Wanted to make sure I had them before they were on lock down! Yes it's Spring here. Snicker, snicker. My exercise classes are cancelled so doing yoga at home which is just not as effective. I keep getting distracted. In the down dog position it's way too easy to note all the dust under the furniture.
It is a serious situation. I'm not taking it lightly. But of the huge numbers of people who have tested positive for the virus, (Italy has tested almost 9000 people whereas the States fewer than 1,600), many are asymptomatic. Others have flu like symptoms but will be fine. A very small percentage are hospitalized and fewer yet die. It's like a very bad flu year where no one was vaccinated. The people most at risk are elderly and/or compromised. (Median age 81, mostly males and with other underlying illnesses). The major problem is that the virus is so damned catchy that the numbers are HUGE. Huge because Italy has one of the highest aging populations in the world. There are grey hairs everywhere! Hospitals simply can't handle the numbers in isolation and ICU and staff are becoming ill which means a shortage of doctors and nurses.
Our worry is of course MIL. And she is not being very cooperative. God is that woman stubborn! Her biggest concern is food. And she LOVES Lidl, the German super-saver supermarket. She scans the fliers and circles all of the things she wants on special. She must go on exactly the day that the specials are being offered. Normally she would walk there but GP has told her when she needs something he'll go. She has got this poor guy driving back and forth constantly. In order to save 5 cents on a package of crackers he's spending 10 euro in gas. And here's the thing. If he says, "no, I'll go once a week and get everything", she'll go on her own. She insists on going to the market and mass and wants us to take her to her favorite BUFFET RESTAURANT. So last night we coordinated a sting. We had her over for dinner and bombarded her with terrifying information. She is a prime candidate at 88 with asthma and heart issues. If she ends up in the hospital we can't visit her and she'll be ON A RESTRICTED DIET! I think that did the trick. We'll see.
Anywho be careful wherever you are. This thing is everywhere. I just hope it can be contained before it's time for me to fly home! I'll keep you updated. xxoo me
I made it back from the UK. No controls on the way there but they checked our temps on landing here. Schools are closed. This is week 3. At this point they'll be going through July. I'm soooo glad I quit! I'm still tutoring one on one at students homes. Gyms, cinemas, events are all cancelled. Anywhere crowds would gather in close proximity. Soccer matches are going on but without spectators. The big dilemma is whether the station that owns the rights to the televised games will show them on regular TV. THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT.
Kids home from school means the folks upstairs are home 24/7. Vacuuming. Arguing. The poor kid who has no life under normal circumstances, now can't even escape to go to school. He spends all day studying. He actually dared to lie on his bed working and his mother screamed, "Sit up! During the day you have to sit up to study. You can studying lying down in the evening." Someday he's gonna snap and we'll see these people on the front page of the paper.
There is no panic. No panic buying. No mobbing the hospitals. Many of those in quarantine are just thrilled to be at home from work. We are not yet within the quarantined area though it's a short drive from here. Actually went yesterday to just outside the "red zone" to pick up plants at a great garden center. Wanted to make sure I had them before they were on lock down! Yes it's Spring here. Snicker, snicker. My exercise classes are cancelled so doing yoga at home which is just not as effective. I keep getting distracted. In the down dog position it's way too easy to note all the dust under the furniture.
It is a serious situation. I'm not taking it lightly. But of the huge numbers of people who have tested positive for the virus, (Italy has tested almost 9000 people whereas the States fewer than 1,600), many are asymptomatic. Others have flu like symptoms but will be fine. A very small percentage are hospitalized and fewer yet die. It's like a very bad flu year where no one was vaccinated. The people most at risk are elderly and/or compromised. (Median age 81, mostly males and with other underlying illnesses). The major problem is that the virus is so damned catchy that the numbers are HUGE. Huge because Italy has one of the highest aging populations in the world. There are grey hairs everywhere! Hospitals simply can't handle the numbers in isolation and ICU and staff are becoming ill which means a shortage of doctors and nurses.
Our worry is of course MIL. And she is not being very cooperative. God is that woman stubborn! Her biggest concern is food. And she LOVES Lidl, the German super-saver supermarket. She scans the fliers and circles all of the things she wants on special. She must go on exactly the day that the specials are being offered. Normally she would walk there but GP has told her when she needs something he'll go. She has got this poor guy driving back and forth constantly. In order to save 5 cents on a package of crackers he's spending 10 euro in gas. And here's the thing. If he says, "no, I'll go once a week and get everything", she'll go on her own. She insists on going to the market and mass and wants us to take her to her favorite BUFFET RESTAURANT. So last night we coordinated a sting. We had her over for dinner and bombarded her with terrifying information. She is a prime candidate at 88 with asthma and heart issues. If she ends up in the hospital we can't visit her and she'll be ON A RESTRICTED DIET! I think that did the trick. We'll see.
Anywho be careful wherever you are. This thing is everywhere. I just hope it can be contained before it's time for me to fly home! I'll keep you updated. xxoo me
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Coronavirus is a serious pain in the ass. Northern Italy has got it. I am flying out tomorrow to London to see my baby. I hope my flight doesn't get cancelled or they don't whisk me off to a tent and put me in quarantine. Those guys in the hazmat suits give me the creeps! Schools are closed, major events have been cancelled and some areas are in lock down. At the moment our area is not affected. Let's hope it stays that way. Italian are major hypochondriacs. Every home has a mini pharmacy. Every family has someone who gives injections. Doctors waiting rooms are a local hangout for the elderly. Consequently huge precaution is being taken here. I usually have to wait an hour or so when I go to the doctor but am using this occasion, when everyone will be staying home and using the "hotline" and calling the home visiting doctors, to get my prescriptions filled. I doubt there will be anyone there.
On other fronts, life has been quiet. I'm tutoring between 6 and 10 hours a week and somehow making that into almost full time work. The more time I have the less I get done. 'Splain that to me! We had friends visit for a couple days and did the wine tasting, overeating thing. The weather has already started warming up and spring will be here within a couple weeks. After a lazy winter of watching British gardening shows I've decided to give mine a makeover. The thrills I tell you!
Stay well everyone. xx me
On other fronts, life has been quiet. I'm tutoring between 6 and 10 hours a week and somehow making that into almost full time work. The more time I have the less I get done. 'Splain that to me! We had friends visit for a couple days and did the wine tasting, overeating thing. The weather has already started warming up and spring will be here within a couple weeks. After a lazy winter of watching British gardening shows I've decided to give mine a makeover. The thrills I tell you!
Stay well everyone. xx me
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