Let me put it out there right at the beginning, I'm obsessed with COVID-19. I read every article, every chart, every picture essay trying to wrap my head around what's happening, what happened and what will happen. Probably this isn't so good for my mental health, but hey, I have nothing else to do.
In Israel, where I live, we could all see what was coming as Italy worsened and Europe became the epicenter of the pandemic. We held elections at the end of March which were once again a stalemate, so that left us with the same temporary government and the same temporary Prime Minister, Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu. At least some things never change.
Instead of taking his lead from his buddy in the USA, Trump, Netanyahu addressed the nation with blunt honesty and even a sense of humor. In fact, to me it was as if he was a different person, one without a stick up his ass. He didn't even mention Iran which must be a world record.
Where we are now is working from home for those who can, no more than 10 people together (fancy a minyan anyone?), malls, restaurants, movies are closed and really you shouldn't leave home except to get food and medicine. Apparently, you can go and get drive through testing on the fairgrounds in Tel Aviv. People are being arrested at weddings for going over the limit and for running away from home isolation or even hospitals. The government can now track your cell phone if you are in quarantine to make sure you are staying put. Creepy.
I have to confess, I HATE working from home. I'm not motivated, I'm easily distracted, I notice things that need to be cleaned (not a normal or desired state) and I ALWAYS want to take a nap. It's almost one work week in and it's been pretty hard. Lest you think I'm lucky because all my kids have graduated high school, think again.
No one at my house has symptoms of the novel coronavirus. We've all been passing back and forth a sore throat and some congestion but no fevers and no respiratory problems.
Here we are. Here we will stay for who knows how long. I guess eventually I will get used to it or not. But for now, I'm going to take a nap.
Watch for more of my blogs from the COVID-19 front in Israel.
