A Corona Virus Blog
I am 34 Days into my quarantine, and I am doing well, at least mentally. Watching the news is a necessity, but its bringing me down.
In NJ, 17 bodies were found in a tiny morgue at nursing home. Sixty-eight people linked to a nursing home in Andover Township have died in recent weeks, including two staff members. Then watching people in Michigan and Ohio protest stay at home measures, endanger their lives and the lives of others.
I keep hearing that the Covid-19 pandemic will change the rest of our lives and to a certain extent I believe that it is true. Small business owners like me, have suffered irreparable financial damage and surviving looks unlikely. Future entrepreneurs may be unwillingly to launch new businesses because of the unpredictable impact of pandemics. Only large corporations will be financially supported. Right now, I am watching a farmer on TV destroy his crop because he can’t harvest it. Many businesses will disappear, along with the entrepreneurial spirit that inspired generations of Americans.
The United States now has the highest number Coronavirus related deaths in the world, at 20,000 and that number is only growing. While New York remains optimistic about the numbers of reported cases of Corona infections has flattened, they still lost 783 lives over the last 24 hours, This marked the fifth straight day of more than 700 deaths per day.
I can’t believe that I have been sheltered in place for 30 days. During the last 30 days I’ve used the time to engage with my family. My favorite was the Day 12 Family Picture Project. I am also reaching out to all of my friends, even the ones I haven’t spoken with in years. Its a wonderful time to chat with an old friend.
#staysafe
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that NYC schools will be closed until the fall. Later, Governor Cuomo said that the power to open or close the schools rests with the governor, which started a new war of world and two different points of view. Exactly what is NOT needed right now.
Reports indicate that New York is flattening its curve of new coronavirus cases. Which is great news. But New Jersey is projected to hit its peak in 2 to 3 days. That might translate in to 14,000 people needing to be hospitalized.
Globally, Africa and South America should be cause for major concern. While the reported numbers have been slow to increase, I am confident that they are much higher. Consider that many of these countries do not have anywhere the level of medical support that developed countries have, and they do not have the same level societal controls. I read that many countries in Africa only have 5 hospital beds per million people. Imagine how many people will have access to a ventilator. Even basic safety procedures can not be practiced in many of these countries, especially if you don’t have clean water to drink. The death rate could explode in Africa and South America.
Its hard to tell if the tri-state area is in a better place today than it was yesterday. According to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the total coronavirus deaths across New York hit a third-straight daily record with 799 fatalities on Wednesday. New Jersey reported 198 more deaths bring their total to 1,700.
I had to go for a walk late last night to avoid going house crazy. My daily highlight was placing my recycling curbside.
The number of coronavirus cases in New York City increased by more than 5,600 with 400 new deaths in just 24 hours. NY Governor Cuomo orders all flags to half-staff. NJ Governor Murphy order flags to be flown at half-staff on April 3rd and other states are following.
#staysafe
It was great to hear that cases and deaths in NY/NJ are slowing down. But this doesn’t appear to be an indication that any stay at home orders are going to be removed.
As Corona infections and deaths continue to increase throughout the U.S., I watched a live stream of Palm Sunday services. But today a 4-year-old female Malayan tiger tested positive after developing a dry cough and is expected to recover, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo. It seems like everyone (including animals) can get COVID-19.
