School is out; hopscotch is in.

School is out and when it will go back in is anyone's guess. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life in London and around the world. This is the biggest hopscotch grid I have ever encountered. But my guess is it is only used by two kids, a brother and sister, living nearby.

Self-isolation is the rule and family units may mix but everyone else is shunned. I'm sure this hopscotch grid would attract lots of children normally but today it attracts next to no one.

Go for a walk and as folk find themselves appearing to be about to come face to face with other walkers, everyone leaves the sidewalk to walk on the grass on either side of the concrete. Oddly enough, people seem to be smiling at strangers more and hellos are passed between strollers regularly. I don't think openly shunning others is a comfortable reaction for most of us but the coronavirus is not about feeling comfortable.

Walkways between homes can lead to a distant street

 

The concrete sidewalk visible in the lower left corner leads to a cascading sidewalk of dozens of steps leading down a long, steep hill to a street well below. These walkways make getting around the neighbourhood on foot much easier. No need to take the long route that cars must follow.

There are a number of homes in the neighbourhood in this style -- large chimney at front. I've always wondered what the livingroom looks like -- assuming the fireplace is in the downstairs livingroom.

Parks are posted

I walked by the neighbourhood park and noticed that it was now posted. Closed until further notice because of COVID-19. How many children would have contacted the coronavirus from the playground equipment. Any? And if one or two had, would they have become sick? Is this really protecting children? (I'm just asking.)

I worked for years at two newspapers and a television station. Once a story like this one gets good, strong legs, one doesn't ask questions. I wondered out loud about the legitimacy of the liberation therapy cure for multiple sclerosis (MS). I was verbally attacked. (People died after having stents put into the veins in their necks, a dangerous, off-label use.) -- I hesitate to ask any pointed questions about the COVID-19 response. I don't need to endure the attacks.

Sweden has taken a different tack and tack is a perfect word. The goals are the same worldwide but the direction taken can be a bit different. Personally, as a 70 something who is a prime candidate for a full-tilt bout with the virus if encountered, I find myself siding with the Swedes.

Protect the aged and those at great risk for whatever reason. This will keep the deaths down and keep hospital rooms available for those who need them. It will also free up much needed equipment like ventilators. And this, of course, will also work to minimize deaths. At least, that is the Swedish approach.

They are also advocating social distancing and other emergency measures. The Swedes are claiming their approach is science-based and not politically-driven. Time will tell.

Social distancing keeps cousin at home

 

Isla and Fiona have been looking forward to the annual week-long visit ot their cousin Victoria. But this year, thanks to COVID-19, there will be no visit. Like so many kids around he province, my granddaughters are trapped spending days with one set of grandparents. Their other grandparents just returned to Canada from a vaction and so are under self-quarantine for 14 days.

The two little girls could not stop thinking about their missing cousin. And so, the other day they talked grandma into making some gluten-free scones in preparation of her visit after the end of the virus-inspired social distancing. Victoria must have gluten-free.

London Gallery once sold interesting art

My wife and I got this piece at the London Art Gallery from a little store run by volunteers. It was a cool store and note I use the past tense.

The volunteers and the administration at the gallery got into an argument and the outcome was the disbanding of the volunteer group and the closing of the shop.

A new shop now occupies the space. It is run by the art gallery administration. The stuff is nowhere near as interesting as the stuff gathered for sale by the volunteers and the new stuff costs a lot more.

We no longer shop at the gallery. A loss for us and for the city.

Shoppers must line up to enter Costco

Shopping at Costco has an extra wrinkle. Shoppers must line up in two well separated rows before being allowed into Costco to shop. And the shoppers must keep about six feet between each other. And carts are all wiped down before putting back into rotation. Only a set number of customers are allowed into the store at one time. A fellow holding a counter keeps track of the number of shoppers entering and exiting the store.
It was very efficient. It didn't take long to gain admittance. The next time I go will be Tuesday morning before nine a.m. Between eight and nine only seniors are allowed into the store to shop. Maybe, just maybe, we'll be able to buy some toilet paper. It was all gone today.

Neighbourhood play equipment now off limits

At this time of year, the neighbourhood play equipment is usually teeming with kids. Not this year.

Coronavirus fears are forcing the kids to keep their distance. Bare metal may become contaminated and this would contaminate the children. The kids might touch their faces and beome infected or they might just bring the virus home on their hands.

Playgrounds are still open but the equipment is off limits. There are no children in the park the serves my neighbourhood. The equipment, the swings, the monkey bar and the other stuff, is the whole reason kids go to the park.

Everyone is wondering how long this will continue.