Sunday saw the lowest new cases in Franconia since the 17th of March going from 5201 to 5478 (5.06%). The not so good news is that the number of deaths increased quite a bit, from 94 to 105. In relative terms, it is still under 2%, but that is under the national trend.
The weather was fantastic yesterday and we went out for a walk. There were a lot of people out and about, but for the most art, people were staying away from each other. Here in the countryside, it is relatively easy to maintain distance. For those people who live in urban areas, they have a harder time finding ways to get fresh air without actually coming too close to others.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Day 19 & Day 20
I skipped a day, sorry.
The weather is so beautiful, that it is very hard not to organize some kind of grill party in the backyard. But, we have to remain patient. The number of infected cases in Franconia is 5339 with 97 deaths.
The newest item that is being sold-out around Germany is: yeast. Crazy, but a lot of people are baking their own bread and rolls at home. Two weeks ago, people were going crazy over pasta and toilet paper, now this. We like to bake our own stuff once in a while too, so it doesnt hurt us that bad, but still, crazy.
Something else that shocked us on Friday. We heard a report that a police department in Berlin had placed an order to a Chinese company for masks. The police had already sent payment and were waiting for the masks. Only, the masks never showed up. Why? Because an American company offered more money for the masks and the Chinese decided to cancel the German order and deliver to the Americans instead. As the masks were in Thailand and on a plane that was to go to Germany, they were removed and put on a plane for the US. Crazy crazy crazy. I guess money does rule.
Today (which will be Day 21) I plan to check in on my bees. Cant wait to see how they have developed this week.
And, of course, we still have enough toilet paper.
The weather is so beautiful, that it is very hard not to organize some kind of grill party in the backyard. But, we have to remain patient. The number of infected cases in Franconia is 5339 with 97 deaths.
The newest item that is being sold-out around Germany is: yeast. Crazy, but a lot of people are baking their own bread and rolls at home. Two weeks ago, people were going crazy over pasta and toilet paper, now this. We like to bake our own stuff once in a while too, so it doesnt hurt us that bad, but still, crazy.
Something else that shocked us on Friday. We heard a report that a police department in Berlin had placed an order to a Chinese company for masks. The police had already sent payment and were waiting for the masks. Only, the masks never showed up. Why? Because an American company offered more money for the masks and the Chinese decided to cancel the German order and deliver to the Americans instead. As the masks were in Thailand and on a plane that was to go to Germany, they were removed and put on a plane for the US. Crazy crazy crazy. I guess money does rule.
Today (which will be Day 21) I plan to check in on my bees. Cant wait to see how they have developed this week.
And, of course, we still have enough toilet paper.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Day 18
I'm slowly losing the motivaion to keep this blog going. Not a whole lot new information to report, except that it is very unsettling to watch the coronavirus numbers getting completely out of hand in the US. They have over 200K infected cases, and yesterday they reported over 1000 new deaths in one day.
Siemens Healthineers, my employer, announced that they have developed a test for COVID-19. This is good news. Get some more tests out there so that an accurate picture of this virus can be made.
Franconia has 4601 infected cases and 82 deaths.
Siemens Healthineers, my employer, announced that they have developed a test for COVID-19. This is good news. Get some more tests out there so that an accurate picture of this virus can be made.
Franconia has 4601 infected cases and 82 deaths.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Day 17
There was another slight increase in the infection rate in Franconia. Now we have 4222 cases with 74 deaths. The curve was starting to look better at the beginning of the week. Germany now has 77981 cases with 931 deaths.
Heidi and I went shopping at REWE in Ebermannstadt at 6 p.m. There were hardly any other customers in the store. The shelves were full, except for toilet paper, which was the first time I had seen it empty there in that store. Maybe they hadnt stocked the shelves yet. The panic purchasing has slowed down though.
The weather is warming up everyday. I think this will have two effects. One, more people will try to get outside more. Two, the weather will help slow the curve. I know that on Saturday, when the weather was really nice, I came across a lot of people hiking. The past few days, this wasnt the case. Although it was sunny, it was still cool, so maybe people stayed at home. This weekend will be like last weekend.
Angela Merkel declared yesterday that the contact restrictions (maximum of two people) shall continue until at least after Easter. This makes sense and I think it will probably continue until at least May.
Heidi and I went shopping at REWE in Ebermannstadt at 6 p.m. There were hardly any other customers in the store. The shelves were full, except for toilet paper, which was the first time I had seen it empty there in that store. Maybe they hadnt stocked the shelves yet. The panic purchasing has slowed down though.
The weather is warming up everyday. I think this will have two effects. One, more people will try to get outside more. Two, the weather will help slow the curve. I know that on Saturday, when the weather was really nice, I came across a lot of people hiking. The past few days, this wasnt the case. Although it was sunny, it was still cool, so maybe people stayed at home. This weekend will be like last weekend.
Angela Merkel declared yesterday that the contact restrictions (maximum of two people) shall continue until at least after Easter. This makes sense and I think it will probably continue until at least May.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Day 16
The situation in Germany is still critical. The numbers are showing that the infection rate is slowing, however the number of infected is over 71000 in Germany. The number of deaths is at 775. The Robert-Koch-Institute warned that the number of deaths will rise. Although Germany has implemented lockdown measures it is still too early to tell if they are working. The RKI also reinforced what they have said weeks ago "We are at the beginning of this crisis." Bavarian minister president, Marcus Söder, added to this saying that no one should be thinking about relaxing, the situation is still quite serious.
The situation is also quite serious in the US. My home state of Maine has also decreed a shelter-in-place order. This is a smart move and it will save lives in the LONG run. The goal of these decrees is not to stop the virus, but to slow it down. Time needs to be won. Researchers need more time to develop and test a vaccine.
In Franconia there are 3686 infected cases with over 60 deaths. For some reason, my source for these numbers has stopped reporting the number of deaths for Franconia, instead they list the numbers for each county.
We still have plenty of toilet paper.
Stay safe everyone.
The situation is also quite serious in the US. My home state of Maine has also decreed a shelter-in-place order. This is a smart move and it will save lives in the LONG run. The goal of these decrees is not to stop the virus, but to slow it down. Time needs to be won. Researchers need more time to develop and test a vaccine.
In Franconia there are 3686 infected cases with over 60 deaths. For some reason, my source for these numbers has stopped reporting the number of deaths for Franconia, instead they list the numbers for each county.
We still have plenty of toilet paper.
Stay safe everyone.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Day 15
Not a whole lot of news to post today. The infected cases are at 3459 in Franconia with 45 deaths. The weather today was sunny, but very cold, near freezing. I think the weather is helping keep people at home. If it would be mid May or June it would be a different story.
Strangely enough, HomeOffice is starting to feel like the norm. I'm usually the first one up in the morning here, so I can get a pot of coffee brewing and take the dog out before the others emerge. Everyone knows what they need to do. It does suck not seeing people, but this too shall pass.
One thing that I have noticed so far with this self-islation is that there is more time to learn new things. We live in a time where we have access to all kinds of information. YouTube is filled with so much stuff on just about any topic. If you want to start a new hobby, this certainly is the time. I really look forward to the bee season, more so this year than any other year. The videos I posted on Facebook and on YouTube have been well received, and I figure, why not share my experience and knowledge with the world. Last season I had a hard time staying motivated with the apiary, it just felt kind of boring with the same-old-same-old. Hopefully this will get me going.
Strangely enough, HomeOffice is starting to feel like the norm. I'm usually the first one up in the morning here, so I can get a pot of coffee brewing and take the dog out before the others emerge. Everyone knows what they need to do. It does suck not seeing people, but this too shall pass.
One thing that I have noticed so far with this self-islation is that there is more time to learn new things. We live in a time where we have access to all kinds of information. YouTube is filled with so much stuff on just about any topic. If you want to start a new hobby, this certainly is the time. I really look forward to the bee season, more so this year than any other year. The videos I posted on Facebook and on YouTube have been well received, and I figure, why not share my experience and knowledge with the world. Last season I had a hard time staying motivated with the apiary, it just felt kind of boring with the same-old-same-old. Hopefully this will get me going.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Day 14
3180 infected cases in Franconia, 35 deaths. In Germany 60,659 with 482 deaths. It was announced yesterday that the Bavarian lockdown will continue until the 20th of April. This was the date that was already set forth as the date when kids can go back to school. I doubt that even then, that the lockdown will be lifted. We should be seeing in the next two weeks if the infection curve is truly flattening out or not.
I also received an email from Expedia today that our flight to Boston for the 6th of April has officially been cancelled and that we will be getting a raincheck from Lufthansa. It was inevitable and I was going to cancel the trip anyway. It is what it is.
We still have toilet paper.
I also received an email from Expedia today that our flight to Boston for the 6th of April has officially been cancelled and that we will be getting a raincheck from Lufthansa. It was inevitable and I was going to cancel the trip anyway. It is what it is.
We still have toilet paper.
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