Day 25 – 26 of lockdown in Italy

Day 26 of lockdown in Italy: A very quiet Saturday at home, of course. Where else would we be?

The lovely Jane called this morning and we spent some time working on the best camera angles to flatter our chins. Jane and I met at almost the same time that I met Gigi. In London in 1994. A lifetime of experiences have happened to us both, but a conversation with Jane is like sititng down in your favourite chair. It's comfortable, rewarding and accomodating.

Miss S is singing up a storm in the shower as I write. She's had more screen time today and no school work. Every now and then the rules slip and if it takes her hours to go to sleep we'll remember again exactly why we're so strict with screen time.

Gigi drove down to the water refill station to fill our water bottles and was mildly accosted by a lady waiting in line for not wearing a mask. The wearing of masks has become common place across Italy and most people are wearing masks in our village. Even if they are driving alone in their car. You are required to wear a mask to enter the supermarket.

It is, however, impossible to find any official requirement for masks. Instead "the WHO and Italian government have stated that the masks are only useful if you're already ill, or if you're a health professional assisting people who are ill." Masks are outrageously expensive to buy online and who knows what the delivery time will be.

I understand why people working in supermarkets and pharmacies are wearing masks but for others, who are staying at home, and only going out to shop for essentials, and maintain the social distancing measures it seems unnecessary. Maybe we'll be proved wrong down the line, because countries like Japan and Korea certainly have an existing culture of wearing masks. As I understand it though, it is mostly done by people who are concerned about spreading germs to others in the case that they are unwell.

I don't know. I do know that seeing masked faces induces more anxiety and creates more distrust, and I can't find any evidence or recommendation that we should be donning them everytime we leave the house. If anything it might give people a false sense of security.

Today's highlight was a baking session in the kitchen. I tested out a new apple cake recipe for dessert. Miss S whipped up a batch of chocolate biscuits iced with masks (ironically) and vanilla biscuits iced to look like coronavirus. It was all done in the spirit of working towards completing a challenge for a Girl Guide badge. Of course, all of this baking means we are running out of eggs, butter, sugar and flour with neither of us wants to venture out to the supermarket at this moment.

The latest official news on COVID-19 in Italy includes an extention of the lockdown until 13th April. Although, let's face it, we all know it's going to be longer than that. The death toll is over 15 000 although experts are casting doubt on those figures. The epidemic is peaking (still) in some areas although the south (where we are) is still at risk. The rate of admissions to intensive care has slowed for the first time since COVID-19 intensified.

On the other side of the world a couple in India who gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, have named them Covid and Corona.

And so, as Coronavirus does its thing all around the world, people are living their lives, albeit smaller and with much less Vitamin D, and making interesting decisions and choices every single day.

Day 25 of lockdown in Italy: Fri-yay today! It's been a nice day. I've been trying to think of a better word than nice, but nice really sums it up. The days in lockdown are not what I'd describe as good or lovely. Good and lovely days revolve around the outdoors, freedom and sunshine. But nice days revolve around mellow family time, mild productivity, some creativity and a good meal.

Miss S did schooling of all varieties as usual. I taught this afternoon, including three 10 year old boys, one of whom looked like he was bored out of his brain way before the lesson started.