Hi everyone - my area is under a second lockdown but I see people walking around not wearing masks and on the bus I was the recipient of some very rude language for talking about why we should we be wearing masks. I'm really worried about what could happen this winter. What has been your experience? I'm trying to get as much vitamin D as possible before winter!
I'm only worried in so far that a lockdown'd be a necessary step. If things get that bad, it's pretty bad indeed. Here in the Netherlands things are rapidly going south, mixed messages from a spineless government that does no practising what it preaches, no-one wanting to comply and whatnot... It's "just a cold", after all. Sheesh. I fear for my family, as well as my friends here and abroad. And my own hide. I'm bummed about probably not seeing my branch of the family over Christmas, especially since some aunts and uncles are getting on in years and might not be with us much longer. I haven't seen any of them all year.
I was on holiday little over a week ago in one of our own provinces, where students are responsible for local outbreaks as it turned out... Oops. We're big on cat café's, so we went to one. The place was overcrowded and the health check a joke. Two students who were obviously ill sat down next to us, and we fled, followed to the counter by their halfway consumption-esque coughs and sniffles. Paying the bill, I mentioned those two and me not being willing to take the risk... The owner laughed in my face. He thought it was funny because we were at the door 10 minutes before they opened, and he thought it was hilarious somehow, that we were leaving already. Really?! His loss, I usually stick around for 2 hours or so and pay out of my nose for the privilege to be with the cats and photograph them, and now...? One tea for me, one hot chocolate for the hub, and that was it. Not even a tenner. I never spend that little... I know plenty of cafe's that take this stuff seriously, and they'll keep my custom. That place? They'll never see me again, as they don't care a hoot for their customer's health, or even their lives. It's just weird, you know...? You're either compliant or completely against the "new normal" rules, there doesn't seem to be a middle ground. And in the meantime it's #$%^&'s like that owner who'll ruin it for other café's, entrepreneurs without personnel, small businesses and big ones, etc etc, who cannot financially survive another lockdown. With the first one I bought a lot of vouchers to be spent at a later date, trying to keep my most beloved spots and shops afloat. But we've had some financial blows in the course of this year ourselves, and I don't think we can do much if something happens again. I'll be damned if I don't try though!
The winter terrifies me. Everyone cooped up inside. Little ventilation. Lots of holidays... (Saint Nicholas' Name Day as well as Christmas and New Year's, here in the Netherlands)... I just hope things'll be good enough so we can see one another over Easter in 2021. Normally I'm really fanatical when it comes to Christmas fairs, markets, what have you... I have tickets for one, (rather than 8 or so...) but I don't think we'll be going, the way things are headed... Same for a Halloween fest. It'll probably all be postponed till next year, provided the event organisations don't topple. And if they do go on, well.... I have my face mask and disinfectant gels with me always! I just do what I can and hope others'll show me the same courtesy. I know they won't. But one can hope.
The last few years I've cut down on my Christmas card list. Lots of people don't send cards any more after all. This year I plan to go absolutely nuts, because I've not seen anyone at all, save for my mother on two occasions, and we've had one train wreck of a year... And I've decided that while it's not even over yet. I'll include friends and family, but also the businesses that are struggling, and my husband's co-workers, and, and, and... Just, you know, everyone. Heck, I'd send cards to every soul on here as well. But that'd kinda break the bank, this being a rather global spot.
But you get the idea. I'm scared and I don't want to miss a chance to tell people someone really does care about them.
So yeah. That.
Jo
