Written 25 February, 2021.
We in NSW continue without any locally acquired virus cases- could it be that the virus is petering out here? If only ! No cases since the week ending 16 January, when there were 14, mostly connected to two clusters. Berala and Avalon. The only state in the country to have continuing worries is Victora, which has only been covid-free for five days, since the Holiday Inn quarantine outbreak, when a quarantine-er used a nebuliser which squirted airborne virus into the room air and out into the corridor when his door was opened. At least it’s proof to those health officials who still remarkably disagree that the virus spreads in the air- disbelievers despite the latest scientific papers.
This week began the vaccine rollout in Australia. We’re all arranged in groups according to priorities, first the most at risk- the medical staff and the quarantine workers and people in old age care and disability care, and after that, groups according to age.Photos are everywhere of arms getting a needle.
Everywhere I go in Australia, people express amazement that we didn’t all die. Last Monday I went to a Greek village dance at a Greek friend’s house in Sydney, and for many it was the first time out in a year. Several people reported that they’d spent the year watching netflix! So after a year of such super care, madness came over me – I behaved dangerously, flinging my arms around friends, even kissing their necks (as they dodged). Note to self; Stop endangering everyone.
In the US, a year ago, yesterday ex-President Trump tweeted:
“The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries. CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me!”
And despite the vaccine rolling out in the US- 1 in 5 adult American’s have now been vaccinated – 503,000 people there have died horrible, lonely , unnecessary deaths from the virus.
And me- . Tomorrow I begin teaching the neuroscience of creativity to ANU music students on zoom. I’m back up the river with the birds and the water. We have the bay almost to ourselves, so there’s no one to endanger. Only the magpies crowding the jetty.
