 | By last Thursday, in France, we had stopped shaking hands and giving each other les bises, but we were still going about our business unless it was shut down. |
Friday they told us schools and universities would shut down Monday.
Saturday, French authorities ordered that on Sunday all bars, restaurants, gyms, churches, and cafes be closed, and gatherings over 100 were banned. They told us to stay at least one meter away from each other in public, and to stay home if we could. But the authorities didn’t bank on the weather.
In a cruel twist of fate, Sunday was one of the first glorious spring days in Paris, full sunshine and a light breeze. Trees are budding. There are flowers. The Parisiens were out in droves. They picnicked, jogged, walked, made out in the parks, shopped for groceries.
That Sunday, yesterday, while we enjoyed the sunshine, the covid-19 death toll rose from 91 to 127.
Sunday evening, rumors started circulating that by Tuesday we’d follow Italy and Spain, and be confined to our homes except for work, grocery shopping, and medical appointments. We’ll find out tonight, when Macron makes an announcement.
I’ve only left my apartment once a day for the past three days, just trying to flatten the curve. I have the luxury of working from home, so it wasn’t a big change for me. I have a very comfortable apartment, good Wifi, and a shopping street just around the corner. Now, however, my son won’t be going to school, so it’s a whole new phase.
Le Dome, my favorite local hangout, is open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., so I’ve never seen it closed before.
Saturday, French authorities ordered that on Sunday all bars, restaurants, gyms, churches, and cafes be closed, and gatherings over 100 were banned. They told us to stay at least one meter away from each other in public, and to stay home if we could. But the authorities didn’t bank on the weather.
In a cruel twist of fate, Sunday was one of the first glorious spring days in Paris, full sunshine and a light breeze. Trees are budding. There are flowers. The Parisiens were out in droves. They picnicked, jogged, walked, made out in the parks, shopped for groceries.
That Sunday, yesterday, while we enjoyed the sunshine, the covid-19 death toll rose from 91 to 127.
Sunday evening, rumors started circulating that by Tuesday we’d follow Italy and Spain, and be confined to our homes except for work, grocery shopping, and medical appointments. We’ll find out tonight, when Macron makes an announcement.
I’ve only left my apartment once a day for the past three days, just trying to flatten the curve. I have the luxury of working from home, so it wasn’t a big change for me. I have a very comfortable apartment, good Wifi, and a shopping street just around the corner. Now, however, my son won’t be going to school, so it’s a whole new phase.
Le Dome, my favorite local hangout, is open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., so I’ve never seen it closed before.
Not knowing if the confinement rumors were true, I decided to go stock up on groceries this morning while I still had the freedom to do it without soldiers in the streets. Most small shops are closed on Mondays in France, so I went to the bigger grocery store. The aisles are narrow, but people tried to give each other space, some with scarves pulled over their lower faces. There was no toilet paper or pasta, but the clerk told me they’re waiting for today’s trucks to arrive. God bless those clerks, grimly stocking lunchmeat and cereal and juice. I bought enough protein and carbs to keep my 17-year-old fed, plus an assortment of vegetables and fruits, made a quick stop by the bakery (they’re allowing only three customers at a time inside), and came home.
By the way, can we stop panicking about toilet paper? It’s not like you can’t use the toilet without it. You just have to find some other way to wash your bottom. Be creative.
Between the covid-19 crisis and the economy, we feel like we’re in a disaster movie, or a dystopian novel.
My family’s situation right now is not bad. My New York children are healthy and working from home, my extended family is sensibly self-quarantining, and my mother is mostly unaware of the crisis because of her dementia, tucked away in her assisted living home.
By the way, can we stop panicking about toilet paper? It’s not like you can’t use the toilet without it. You just have to find some other way to wash your bottom. Be creative.
Between the covid-19 crisis and the economy, we feel like we’re in a disaster movie, or a dystopian novel.
My family’s situation right now is not bad. My New York children are healthy and working from home, my extended family is sensibly self-quarantining, and my mother is mostly unaware of the crisis because of her dementia, tucked away in her assisted living home.
 | My daughter Bethany is offering cyber pilates classes, donations accepted. Half goes to a local business that’s been forced to close or an organization that’s providing aid. The other half helps her pay her bills. |
I’m very fortunate. I can communicate with my loved ones, I can work, I have lots of books in my TBR piles, and I have floor space to do yoga.
If you’re at all capable of self-quarantining, do it while it’s still voluntary. Flatten the curve.
And watch this video of Italians telling their 10-days-ago selves what to expect.
If you’re at all capable of self-quarantining, do it while it’s still voluntary. Flatten the curve.
And watch this video of Italians telling their 10-days-ago selves what to expect.
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