Shutdown, week six, LDW +2

We’re at the beginning of the seventh week of shutdown in Cologne, and we’ve started to cautiously ease some of the restriction and re-opening shops for business again.

Social distancing measures are still in place, new for this week is the requirement to wear a face mask when shopping or using public transport. We’ll know in two weeks whether R continues to stay below 1 or not …

Also, two years ago, was my last day at Hewlett Packard Enterprise – the fourth term at University is coming to a close, too, with one more year to go.

And, we still haven’t acted on the refugee camp in Moria and at all the other places at our borders – shame on us!

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(Coronawalk with my buddy Machod, 4/26/20)

Shutdown, week five, maintaining weight

At the end of the fifth week there is cautious optimism in Cologne and starting Monday we’ll see some small measures of reopening the city.

Overall, contact avoidance and social distancing will remain in place though.

You might recall that I started a LCHF diet in November 2018 and I’m quite happy that I have been able to maintain my weight until now, I hope I’ll be able to continue to do so – the added exercise during shutdown seems to help. A bit.

The other big news this week: We are still failing the people at our borders, big time. Shame on us!

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(Bathroom scales, 4/17/20)

Shutdown, week four, total lack of solidarity

It’s the end of the fourth week in which Cologne has shut down, and it’s definitely the most somber and silent Spring Break and Easter holiday of my life.

In Christian mythology, Easter signifies hope, but not at our borders.

The utter lack of solidarity across Europe, and even more at our borders, towards the most vulnerable people of all – migrants fleeing the perils of war, civil unrest and strife – is appalling and deeply shameful.

Our Federal Ministry of the Interior recently agreed to allow 50 (in words: fifty) migrant kids into a nation of 80 Million.

Happy Easter!

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(Pikachu on lawn, 4/11/20)

Shutdown, third week, staying sane

We’re entering into the fourth week of shutdown now – the measures seem to be working and the spread of the virus seems to be slowing down.

Three things have been helping me a lot to stay sane in the past weeks, and hopefully will continue to do so in the weeks to come:

  • A simple activity tracker (Misfit Ray), to make sure I get enough sunshine and exercise
  • A virtual buddy, to make walking alone less alone
  • Social media, to make social distancing less distant

Stay safe and support your local businesses!

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(Ferkulum, 4/4/20)