March 20th, 2020: TCP Day 1

TCP Day 1

So, it has begun.  The COVID Pause, hereafter known as TCP (seems somewhat apt, if not ironic I guess). 

We are all currently healthy. No coughs or fevers, or other symptoms.
 

School closed at 13:15 today; probably for the last time for those in Year 6 like Tomoki. I have been quite low these past few days thinking about the end of school activities he will miss and the psychological scars this period could leave in his memories. He seems to be relatively unaffected at the moment, but time will tell. He's chuckling about something upstairs currently so for today at least he appears to be fine. He will not be sitting his SATs and his Grade 4 keyboard exam has been indefinitely postponed.

Nozomi is still commuting to work, although she just texted to say that she will be "allowed" to work from home on Monday, Thursday and Friday starting next week. I continue to work from home as I have these past years. We had a special "Virtual Fruit Friday" meeting online at work today. I guess it will be a regular thing. I may or may not attend in future depending on mood. The company has discouraged WFH the past few years, so it was somewhat entertaining in a dispassionate way. Maybe after this virus has faded, the company will be pressured to rethink that policy. I expect that WFH will open the eyes of those that don't usually do it.

I did no shopping today. We have enough for a period of a couple of weeks or so before food will become an issue and the shops are carnage at the moment. When I went to collect Tomo from school this afternoon, there were many scared looking people dragging heavy bags of shopping home. I hope this panic buying ends soon, or we will be facing rationing of some sort. The fear is palpable though. Some people will meet your gaze with a watery smile. Poppy (our little poodle/bichon cross helps there), but most people have darting eyes and a grimace as they go about whatever task needs doing. It's pretty grim. 

The weather was a bit brisk, but at least it wasn't raining. It looks set fair but chilly this weekend so hopefully we can get out to the woods for some fresh air. We are not quite in full lock down yet. You need permission to walk the dog in some countries at the moment. I fear we won't be far behind in the UK.

The virus numbers are not worth repeating here. The history and statistics of this will be available for all to see and study for decades to come once this disaster has played out. Suffice to say, it looks like we are "doing an Italian" or possibly even worse if the trajectory of our COVID19 infected continues in its current pattern.

I am really missing our friends. We would normally be having our neighbors Adam, Akiko and their son Leo over tonight (or be going to theirs) for good food, drinking and mahjong or some other game. It all feels desperately sad and lonely.

Nozomi, Tomoki and I will be spending some part of the weekend working out how Tomo can continue his studies. The school sent some material, and we have a few ideas for music, Japanese studies etc. We will structure his day as if he was at school. Details to be determined. He will not be playing video games all day!

Made dinner (home made deep pan pizza) at the same time as dad via the Echo Show. He seemed well and I am glad we gave him an Echo last week for his 70th birthday. Apparently, booze is now hard to get. Glad I had the foresight to get enough in. Gonna need it!