Days 124, 125, 126 and 127 - Phase 1

Friday marked the entry into Louisiana of "Phase 1" of the return from Covid-19. I'm still not sure exactly what that means. A bit like Boris's pronouncements back home everything appears to be veiled in confusion and conflicting information. 

Hopefully it means the start of a move back towards some kind of normality but, honestly, who knows. And what even is normal anymore? The world is changing beyond belief in such a short space of time and trying to find a place in it is an ever moving target too it seems.

Not really knowing what is going to happen is the hardest thing. Trying to prepare for the key parts of the year with only vague plans available. When will I get back to see Katie? Will I be home alone on my 40th? How long will it be before I can give someone a hug (as much as I like my work colleagues we are a way from that at this point!)? You try to take the little snippets of positivity you get and use them to build a foundation, but you just don't know what the foundation is built on.

Gears are beginning to grind. The pool and gym have reopened at limited capacity - though the sight of the side panels being raised on the gym too might give you some idea of the temperature at nearly 6pm in the evening (30+C in case you were wondering). 

And the great thing about the heat is that it also brings the rains. It is a seemingly never ending cycle here - build up of humidity and temperature, awesome storm, really pleasant post storm "glow", and repeat.

At least I should start to get out and see more of Baton Rouge as Phase  builds. It may be a while before domestic travel becomes the norm again but the bits I've managed to see recently have been pretty promising. As the bars and restaurants tentatively begin to open their doors I hope that one of the key purposes of this blog (showcasing this part of the world) will happen on a more regular basis.

For now though, let me leave you with tonight's dinner - Creole-spiced chicken and andouille jambalaya. A taste of the south, hopefully there will be many more to come soon.

Till tomorrow, Tom

Days 70&71 - Scary times

Day 70. 10 weeks into my US Adventure. Did anyone see it going like this? Anyone at all? Didn't think so. 

These are troubling times. Louisiana has used a statewide SIP (Shelter in Place) from 5pm tomorrow amidst fears that the escalation rate is higher here than anywhere in the world. 800+ cases from only 3,500 tests are worrying numbers. Thankfully the mortality rate is low (only 20 deaths at last count) but the trends are not good (here).

There is mounting worry here, you can feel it on the local news channels and around the place. People are readying themselves, people are getting preparing for the worst. And this is state that has been devastated more than once in the last 15-20 years by natural disasters. When the Louisianians begin to worry, it's hard not to join in. This is a state with below average health care and below average access to what is needed to fight an epidemic. There are a lot of nursing homes, elder residents and vulnerable. This is getting a lot worse before it gets better.

There is nothing that can be done other than follow the instructions, look out for each other and just wait this thing out. It is a helpless feeling - and that is for someone who is at significantly lower risk than others out there. A stiff British upper lip helps here, as does the fact that I am comfortable in my own company for long periods of time. Which is a good thing as I'm going to need to be.

However, that said, life goes on. You just get on with it, que sera sera, and do what you can. I managed to have pretty good weekend despite all the unease (you'll notice I'm doing one blog per weekend until I can get out more). I managed to speak to Katie for a long while on Saturday and she finally got her first US care package :-) Looks like she enjoyed it.

Other thing I've been making good progress on is my 3D jigsaw of Winterfell. It's a lot more complicated than I first thought but it is taking shape at least. Long way to go but it is keeping the grey matter ticking over and that's about all I can ask for at the moment. 

Stay safe everyone, look after each other.

Till tomorrow, Tom 

Day 69 - Incoming

Judging from the latest information coming out of the Governor's office it seems like a Louisiana Lockdown is inevitable. maybe as soon as tomorrow. His recent statement that if we don't do anything we face the worst-case scenario is alarming in itself. Even more alarming is watching the local news and realising that people still aren't taking this seriously.

"I'm not at risk so why should my life be inconvenienced" appears to be the most common response. Dangerous thinking guys. The needs of the many and all that? 

As things stand it is business as usual at work, but we'll keep an eye on that daily. 

Followed this guy to work today, I think he has the right handle on this whole virus thing (zoom in)!

Anyway, as I'm nothing if not proactive (maybe) I had stocked up on things to keep me busy when I'm stuck within these (roughly) four walls. I've already started yoga and a 30 day abs challenge, but keeping the mental side of things ticking over is just as important. 

A quick trip to the local Barnes and Noble, complete with the requisite social distancing, yielded the following haul + Winterfell (see the video). This should keep the grey matter stimulated for a few weeks at least. Especially those 3D ones, wow they look pretty complicated. 

This whole lot still cost less than a Lego Millenium Falcon. No wonder lego was revenue somewhere in the $4-5bn per year range at those prices!

So we'll see how this all shakes itself out. Not much else we can do in these interesting times. Hope you all stay safe, look after each other and use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate how you want to live your life and what is important to you. I know I will be.

Till tomorrow, Tom