Life at the Covid-19 Epicentre: Report #2

A lot has changed in just a few days. In Germany we're not yet on full lock-down like they are in France and Italy, but things feel very strange indeed. In theory all "non-essential" shops are closed but I went for a run yesterday (I checked and it's allowed -- "even encouraged") and saw even an ice cream shop open. I believe officially restaurants are allowed to be open but only from 11:00 to 15:00 and everyone has to be at least 1.5 metres apart. One thing that seemed very normal was going to the grocery store. It wasn't overly crowded or eerily empty -- just normal. In general, all of the shelves were stacked how I'm used to seeing them (even the toilet paper aisle!) except there was a lot less selection in the pasta aisle. Normally it's basically an entire aisle of different brands and types and yesterday there was basically only a few boxes of whole wheat pasta left sitting in the corner (yuck).

Our office is officially completely closed and -- like most office workers -- we are in work-from-home mode. This presents interesting and difficult challenges especially since, as we all know, schools are closed and will be for the foreseeable future. Not only adults are getting cabin fever; kids seem to perhaps even go crazier more quickly. But of all the things that are closed vs. things that are operating as usual, a lot of it feels very arbitrary. We keep getting mail, for example, which seems to me a perfect way for a virus to continue traveling across the globe. Delivery places are all open but must follow a "no touch" delivery procedure where you pay online and the delivery guy rings your bell and leaves the food at the door. All well and good, I suppose, but I'm kind of more concerned with the person who actually made the food than the guy who delivered it, to be honest.

Reports coming out of England and (of all places) Alberta have officials suggesting that schools will stay closed until at least September. If the virus and the inability to travel or be social or buy the things you need doesn't scare you, the idea of your kids being at home with out for the entire spring, summer, and potentially the fall definitely will.

Signing off from the trenches.