A Different Life II

[DMT]

The transit strike (should have included that in the previous post)🥴

[Lily&Me]

I knew what you meant.

This was over the weekend, and as I am just googling “transit strike Paris”, I read that “most” workers are back, travel has “eased”, etc.

Sounds like still a bit of a mess, but we’re going and will deal with it.

All part of the adventure.

Maggie

[Gearheart]

Maggie, When are you going to Edisto? We are getting the Twinkie back from the painter’s the end of this month and itchy feet will follow soon after that.

[Lily&Me]

Hi Gerard!

First two weeks of March, beach campground.

If you can find a spot, would love to see you and Laura.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Found these beautiful wallpapers for my phone/IPad, respectfully, by simply googling “Paris rooftops”.

They do look just like this.

I have finished “The Winemakers Wife”, Carol, and really enjoyed it!


Watching the coronavirus outbreak, concerned for the masses in China and wondering if it will impact my trip at some point.

[OTRA15]

FYI:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html
Global map: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...cases.html#map
Travel warnings: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destina...travel-notices
France links: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=coronaviru...t=ffnt&ia=news

Obviously any center of international travel [like Paris] could become a much riskier place to visit soon IMO. Given the incubation period of this virus, and the lack of overt symptoms in the early stages, any contact with a carrier of the virus would not be good.

Not sure when your flights are, but the sooner you go the better IMO. In a week the maps and data linked above could show a profound change.

Anywho . . . you are knowledgeable and mature, and good at assessing risks . . . so have a good trip. Coming to mind, however, is your post about listening to the inner voice and not missing the subtle [often way below the radar] red warning flags. What are the children in your family whispering in your ear?

Have fun whether you go or stay!

Peter

[Lily&Me]

Thank you, Peter.

My kids, well into their 40’s, have only urged me to have phone service if I need it, which I have taken care of.

I’m not feeling niggling doubts about going, but am paying attention to it.

I try not to live in fear, also.

I don’t believe there are any secondary infections as yet in France, as the travelers sickened had been to Wuhan, but I’ll be watching it.

Of course, it’s only been a few days. I expect the numbers outside of China to grow a bit.

Might not hurt to buy myself a couple of face masks to stash in my luggage, just in case I need them and they become hard to find.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Doug would say...

It’s the prudent thing to do, baby.

[OTRA15]

. . . and lots of small bottles of hand sanitizer, and packs of antibiotic mini-wipes. This virus can live on surfaces like door knobs, elevator buttons, and so forth, can't it?

Yes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/transmission.html



Not even sure if basic masks, and the tools above, are effective for this new virus? Maybe only extreme physical isolation similar to other epidemics like Ebola?

In an active international airport, the equation tilts heavily toward an awareness that Coronavirus spores could be pretty much anywhere, long before the maps indicate a risk for that geographic area. We shall soon see if China's extreme quarantine efforts have been successful.

The experts are guessing not.




Time will tell.

[Lily&Me]

There are a lot of unknowns about this virus, from what I have read.

I believe there is not yet a case in Europe or the US where that person had not been to Wuhan.

I’m sure it will all get much worse before it gets better, and I will be watching it.

I bought medical grade face masks, and if they don’t protect me then I guess I’ll be in a bit of trouble.

I tend generally toward being very healthy, with a strong immune system and not prone to picking up everything that goes around.

I’m going, and expect I will be just fine.

Maggie

[Hittenstiehl]

I would agree.

Mask up (especially on the airline where your breathing the air from the guy in row 10) and lots of wiping of airplane tilt-up trays :-)

Minimize touching of things everyone touches. Railings, buttons, knobs, doors.

If an elbow can prop a door open do it. If a knuckle can push an elevator button do it.

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! use a hotel ice bucket without a fresh plastic liner.

[OTRA15]

Germany confirms first case from China:

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge...=mw_latestnews

_______________________________________________

"BERLIN (AP) — A man confirmed as Germany’s first case of the new virus that has emerged in central China is believed to have been infected by a Chinese colleague who visited his workplace, authorities said Tuesday."
_______________________________________________

The colleague did not have any apparent symptoms at the time of the transmission of the virus. Further details in the article. The proverbial tip of the iceberg IMO.

Peter

FYI

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, Peter.

First thing I looked for in the news this morning was the status of this virus.

At least 4,500 infected in China, and probably many more than that as the hospitals are overwhelmed, there is a shortage of testing kits, etc.

I’ll monitor it and be cautious, but am not really worried at this point.

Maggie

[OTRA15]

Hoping I have your permission to speak freely, Maggie.



As I imagine you realize -- but just to be "measure twice, cut once" clear -- that Chinese work colleague came through an airport without any symptoms, and likely touched all kinds of things:

doorknobs
aircraft dining trays
counters
toilet flush levers
charge card station styluses
etc.
etc.

Unless you are extremely vigilant you will be touching the very same items.

Sometimes the umbrella of "I don't live in fear" can become a virulent case of denial of the real world risks IMO.

Peter

[Lily&Me]

Of course you can speak freely, Peter, and I appreciate your concerns.

Any time we leave our homes, we touch things others with communicable whatever also touch, but unless we are not careful with our hands we can still be safe.

The belief seems to be that this virus is contagious before a sick person shows symptoms, and I intend to be especially cautious.

But, I’m not going to panic, cancel my trip, and hide at home, as it just doesn’t seem warranted.

Right?

Maggie

[OTRA15]

Very much TBD at this point IMO.

CNN just reported four [new?] cases in the US.

[OTRA15]

FYI a few more links specific to Europe, Germany and France:

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/home
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-e...9-ncov-germany
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-e...eported-france

FYI

[Lily&Me]

I’m a person who needs to give my brain a little time in the evening to prepare for sleep, and so I try to end each day reading for a couple of hours.

Unlike last evening, when I got caught up in watching YouTube videos of Edith Piaf and other artists, singing “La Vie en Rose”...quintessential Paris, written as WWII was ending, by Edith Piaf who worked for the Resistance during the war.

When Doug and I went to Paris in 2012, our very first walk was to the river Seine, and there was a gentleman in beret and with accordion, playing this song.

Like something out of a movie.

Such a hauntingly beautiful song, and instead of sleeping last night this ran thru my brain far too much of the night.

It’s still in my head.

It really is true that you need to disengage from this stuff before going to bed.

The young lady from Canada whose video I linked does an especially nice rendition.

https://www.ft.com/content/9462286c-...0-badea1b336d4

https://youtu.be/3Ba_WoSZXvw

Maggie

[n2916s]

There is no paper mask available that will even slow down a virus. We are talking about a very, very small infective agent.

Wash your hands.

Don’t travel to China in the near future.

Enjoy your travels.

[Lily&Me]

Thank you.

I bought a box, and they’re tucked into my suitcase.

Maggie