Evening statistics – Increasing percentage of cases in U.S. – The advantages of travel on foot – The advisability of stay-at-home orders – The resolution of Governor Hogan – Restrictions on funerals – Lack of bread at stores
Today’s statistics as of 10:30 PM — # of cases worldwide: 1,039,166; # of deaths worldwide: 55,092; # of cases U.S.: 245,646; # of deaths U.S.: 6,068. The number of active cases in China is now under 2,500, according to their statistics, which of course cannot be taken for gospel. Spain has surpassed Italy in the number of cases. And the mortality rate there is now quite high – over 9%. Like Italy, it has a large elderly population and an overstrained health care system. It has, in addition, high population densities in cities like Madrid, a pattern of social behavior that strongly encourages physical contact (kissing upon greeting is quite common), and numerous communal buildings; also, the health care system is very fragmented and decentralized, being run by several autonomous regions.
The U.S. now accounts for a quarter of the cases worldwide. The New York City area is the most greatly affected; the death toll there is over 1,500 (nearly 3,000 in the state at large). Its morgues are full.
I had several errands to run today and I contemplated using the car, especially since I had hiked so much the day before. But my fate was already decided for me: there is construction on my street this week and the workers had blocked my driveway for the third day running. I didn’t need to go anywhere on Wednesday, and yesterday I drove out before the construction workers arrived; but today I was forced to be active whether I desired it or not. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
I hate to admit it, but people who are accustomed to doing the majority of their errands on foot have a definite advantage in times like these. This morning I had to go to the Oriental market to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables and other items, to the bank to deposit a check from the IRS in my mother’s account, and to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. It was between 6 and 7 miles according to my cell phone app, which consistently underestimates distances and elevation gains – not a bad haul. It was such a fine day, too, that it would have been a shame to waste it sitting indoors all the time. Sunny, fresh, clear, brisk, and breezy – what could be better?
Dr. Fauci has said that at this point all states should have stay-at-home orders. Currently 11 states do not: Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Of these, the first six contain individual regions that have such orders but also several regions that do not. The latter five have no restrictions at all.
Larry Hogan, the governor of Maryland, has proven himself to be a man of some force of character. Unlike other Republicans, he has not hesitated to criticize Trump for ignoring the crisis at the beginning and he is aggressively attempting to acquire test kits for the state from South Korea. His wife, who is South Korean, negotiated directly with the South Korean authorities to obtain them. Nor is he afraid to enforce his directives. Already two people have been arrested for ignoring his orders restricting gatherings greater than ten persons.
Funerals are now doubly tragic for families who have undergone a loss; now only ten people may be allowed to attend services and in any case it is impossible for most relatives to travel to participate in them.
We are starting to feel the pinch here at several of the stores still open. Today no bread was available at Panera’s; I will have to make my own.