We argued last week over having a client here at our condo. My argument was that since we are vaccinated, at least with the first of the two shots (two of the three of us are fully vaccinated) the danger is pretty much past for us. E. argued that there was no sense in exposing ourselves to an unnecessary danger, especially when we are close to having full immunity. There is no "right" or "wrong" response to this. Los Angeles is down to 5 out of 100,000 having the bug, from over 150 a few months ago. So there is objectively less danger, but still some. Besides, who wants to be the last one Hospitalized for this ? Not me ! Los Angeles at one time had an aggressive anti-vax Face Book group, but when the LAPD finally put their foot down and said they were going to begin arresting protesters, the fun went out of being obnoxious, and the protests have apparently stopped. All in all, we are less vigilant than we were a month or two ago. I'm going to have lunch in a real restaurant tomorrow with my buddy out in Valencia. But still wary. We will eat outside on a patio, even though both of us are fully vaccinated. I wear a mask while putting gas in the car at Costco (and of course while shopping inside). At work, all our documents are sent by e-mail, no hard copies anymore, unless there are a lot of tabs. We are thinking about a trip overnight to Palm Springs -- first time in a hotel since last summer's trip to Yosemite. Big improvement in our ability to get out of the condo. And a very welcome relief !
April 27, 2021
The pandemic stopped me from repatriating to Canada. I began that process three years ago. I did leave California as a climate refugee and am living with my niece. I am so grateful I have this option. But now my cousin is really sick with three known cancers and I need to get to Montreal to help her. The Canadian government website has a lot of general information but the robot responses do not cover specific details. For instance, I am returning to Montreal in July. I have been fully vaccinated and if I need to quarantine son be it. BUT, my niece is driving the U-Haul with me and I need to know if she can come in for a few days to help me (I'm 71). Of course there is no one to answer that question. Moving is such an ordeal, more so at my age. And that much more in a pandemic, AND crossing an international border too! Yes, I am suffering from stress more than anything.
May 8, 2021