Coronavirus Diary Day 4: March 16, 2020

The World is closed. Really.

In France, there are over 5,000 people who’ve tested positive for Coronavirus. That’s a jump of more than 900 cases overnight. At last count, the virus has killed 127, which is 36 more deaths than yesterday. In Paris, even after the bars and cafés closed, groups were still congregating to enjoy the warm Spring weather. Young people posted pictures of themselves crowded along the banks of the Seine and the Canal Saint-Martin and drinking rosé in every public park. The result? All the parks are now closed. Oh, and if you are found to be socializing in groups or disobeying any of the government’s social distancing guidelines, there will be penalties. Macron hasn’t said what those penalties are, exactly, but remember this is the country that invented the guillotine.

In Italy, the virus is off the charts. Health officials announced today an additional 3,000 cases overnight, raising the total number of confirmed infected to 27,980. More than 2,100 people have died. 12% of the doctors in the region around Milan have been diagnosed with Coronavirus. Social distancing in Italy means that people stay inside their homes unless they need to perform essential tasks. All funerals and weddings are cancelled indefinitely.

Here in the USA, both federal and local governments are becoming much more aggressive about their social distancing messages. Anyone who can is working from home. Non-essential businesses have locked their doors. Schools are closed. Sports are cancelled. Curfews have been enacted in dozens of communities throughout the nation. People are advised not to socialize in groups larger than 10.

I’m willing to bet the airlines will cancel all flights – yes, even the domestic ones – before the end of the week. I know it sounds crazy. But come on.

You guys, ISIS instructed their terrorists to stay home and binge watch Stranger Things.

Old People, please stop saying we’re overreacting. We know you’ve seen a lot in your lifetime. We know you walked 5 miles in the snow both directions to get to school. We know you fought in wars. (Thank you for that). But please, for the love of God, stop going out. And no, don’t visit your grandchildren. Do you know what those little brats are calling this virus? The Boomer Remover. Make a gin martini and stay the fuck home.

On that note, here are today’s numbers:

COVID-19 Confirmed Cases:

182,403 (This is 13,000 more than yesterday)

Deaths:

7,144

Recovered:

78,346

Active:

96,913

In the USA, there are currently over 4,334 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 77 dead.

In Pennsylvania, there are 68 confirmed cases.

Also, the stock market is in the shitter.

New on Mondays! The Decline of Dinner:

Tonight’s dinner:

Baked Spicy Maple Salmon

Roasted Cauliflower, Miznon Style

Pinot Noir, D.H. Elliott Podium, California Monterey County 2017

Stay healthy, friends!