Two very different people, the Crown Prince of Dubai and President Trump are listening to me – well not exactly and in different ways. They are listening actually to the science behind the folly of social distancing. – which I did write about in the March 22,2020 blog.
The March 24, 2020 New York Times announced: “Trump Says That He’ll Soon Reassess Social Distancing Rules.” The Crown Prince’s approach is more subtle. “Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has called on Emiratis and residents to volunteer in a new campaign called Your City Needs You.People can volunteer through the Day for Dubai app, which connects them to opportunities offered by the Dubai Health Authority or the Watani Al Emarat Foundation.My message to everyone is to volunteer to join the dedicated teams that are working round-the-clock to protect our community,” said Sheikh Hamdan. A thorough reading of the article reveals that volunteers will be working with elders and in community centres, as well as other opportunities but it clearly does entail a relaxation of ‘social distancing’ rules.
Of course, I am joking, This is not coming about because they both read my blog, nonetheless it is encouraging that these two very different men are proceeding down the same sensible course. The most recent news is that Prince Charles texted positive for the virus. No news as yet as how that might have happened. He has only mild symptoms, is self-isolating in Scotland and his wife did not test positive. The New York Times report that 40,000 people in the US have contracted the virus. But this is rather confusing as there is a huge shortage of testing kits in this country. The symptoms of this disease are not unique, resembling ‘ordinary’ other flu symptoms.
Personal Driver took me grocery shopping yesterday and there was this extremely rule man, dressed in face mask that told me to stay six feet away from him. I laughed, said that he clearly was not up to date with the current research and then smilingly said:
Me: I do not particularly want to get close to you anyway.
His cart was full of beans and toilet paper and water.
One of the most amusing photographs to be seen is the empty shelves of liquor after the announcement that bars and pubs would be closed in the UK. This was not true of San Francisco Target in those first panic days. Water shelves were denuded but not the liquor shelves and I joked with people about their priorities. I was buying liquor not toilet paper or water.
Here is the promised New Yorker humour provided by John Kenny. He promises that “the good news is that if you continue worrying you can avoid the virus by dying of a premature heart attack.”It is exceptionally funny,
“Don’t panic.
These are the two most important words to remember. There is no cause for alarm. The chances of you or someone you know contracting the virus remain extremely small. Though you probably will contract the virus at some point.
Wash your hands. These are the three most important words to remember. We know we just said that don’t panic were the two most important words. But, if there were five words to remember, it would be those five.
While you are not panicking, take the time to wash your hands again. It’s a simple thing we all do every day. And that doesn’t have to change. Except for the number of times you do it. If you wash your hands, say, an average of five times a day, keep doing that. But add an additional thirty to forty times a day. It’s that simple. There’s no magic number. But close to fifty is a good place to be. And don’t worry if you do it less than that. Though chances are good that if you do it less than that you will contract the most serious strain of the virus, which can result in death.
Again. What are the two to five words we must remember? Don’t panic wash your hands. That’s really all you need to know.
A lot. Let’s add the words “a lot.” Wash your hands more than you ever thought a person could wash his or her hands. Even if your hands start to bleed. Which they will. It is perfectly normal and not a cause for concern if the backs of your hands begin to get dry or crack or bleed profusely. That’s fine. There’s no law that says you can’t walk around with bloody hands.
This isn’t complicated. Some have made it sound complicated, but it’s not. Except for the complication of us having no idea where the next breakout area will be. But you don’t have to worry. It’s a big country. Though it does look like the next major outbreak will be very close to where you are right now.
If you follow these seven simple words—don’t panic wash your hands a lot never leave your home (let’s add those four)—you will in all probability be fine, even though you will likely contract the virus but will have little memory of contracting it owing to your fever, loss of consciousness, and complete inability to use any part of your body.
How much should you not feel the need to panic? This much: you don’t need a face mask. Think about that. Think about how safe you are if you can walk around without a face mask. And the reason is that a face mask does absolutely nothing but make you look silly. And by “walk around” we mean walk around your home, not outdoors, which without a mask would be akin to suicide.”
Is not that funny? Laughing is the best defence to the virus actually as panic and worry only lower one’s immunity system and laughter boosts it.
I continue to ponder the why of my sense of contentment and happiness in the midst of this mess. One recent realization is that, perhaps, I have fulfilled a portion of my destiny and I am being blessed by Allah. There are new signs that some of my communications have been received. How is that for indirect communication? I detest indirect communication but sometimes it is necessary to play that game, I guess.
Plans for today are amorphous, lacking a clear structure or focus. Synonyms are shapeless, formless, unformed, unshaped, structureless, unstructured, indeterminate, indefinite, vague, nebulous. ANTONYMS shaped; definite.
Perhaps clean up my apartment, which is messy but when you cannot have anyone over it does not matter all that much. Go out and talk to Michael, my homeless man, is another idea for the day.
