Uninspired

I have not been wanting to write lately. I wouldn't say I have writer's block. I would declare I am uninspired.

Feeling burdened with covid, state of emergencies (which has just been extended - again), and claustrophobia, does not foster the desire to write.

Last week was super hard. My son returned to school. I got my second covid vaccine. It was my dad's birthday. It was a lot to deal with.

My second vaccine was administered at a vacant school.
It was a little strange to get an injection in a school gym.

No side effects other than a REALLY sore arm for a couple days.

It seems like it would be a good idea to write about the overwhelming emotions that I've been feeling. But, honestly, I'm so tired of writing the same thing again and again. I don't have any new ways to say "this pandemic sucks and I am really sick of it!"

When I do leave the house, I am doing the same things that I've written about in the past. I am not exploring Japan like I have in the past and I rarely meet people or have interesting exchanges.

I'm not depressed. I am doing things I enjoy like sashiko and other sewing projects. I recently started a sourdough started, which I'm very excited to play with once it matures (I can't wait to make sourdough banana bread - it's so good). The weather isn't insanely hot, which also makes things much more tolerable in so many ways.

I am, however, simply existing. I'm waiting for something interesting to come along. And while I wait, the keyboard isn't a huge draw.

She shot me!

After (not so) patiently waiting for months, I finally got my first Covid vaccine this week. It honestly felt like this day was never going to come.

In Japan, you must first receive a voucher before you can get a vaccine. The vouchers are dispensed via mail by order of priority - based on age and health. I received my voucher a month and a half ago. But getting a voucher didn't guarantee me an appointment. We (meaning my husband) still had to do a lot of work to find an available appointment for me. After a lot of time spent on the phone and internet, he was able to secure a slot for me at a community center that the city has repurposed into a Covid vaccine clinic.

On Thursday, we spent our morning just like any other day. My husband and son ate breakfast while I slept in. My son did a bit of homework while I showered and my husband washed dishes. Before we knew it, it was 10am and time to go. We dropped our son off at our (wonderful) neighbor and hopped on our bikes. The community center was just a short 15 minute ride away.

Since we arrived about 10 minutes before my appointment time, we found no line. Instead, there was a greeter who had us sanitize our hands and take our temperature with a face scanner. After explaining my husband was with as my translator, the greeter double checked my appointment time and instructed us to go inside.

I was shocked to see the community center as a sterile environment. The floors were covered in paper with tape arrows. The walls were bare, void of any cheerful decorations that usually adorn the center. Mobile walls were strategically placed with black and white signs stating no cell phones or photos or video. It felt a bit creepy.

There were only 3 people ahead of me as we waited to check in. At the first stop I showed my paperwork and was told to go to the second station where a medical consultant double checked my paperwork and made sure I didn't have any questions. The third station was the healthcare professional who was going to give me my shot. After a couple questions (left arm or right arm and so forth), she got right to business and gave me my shot. While she was doing her job, I made a joke about wanting to drink alcohol. When people don't even make an effort to speak English, I just assume that they don't actually speak or understand English. This is a very bad habit that I obviously need to break. As she was giving my husband some notes (watch for a tingling sensation in my arm), she specifically told him I wasn't allowed to drink any alcohol for the rest of the day. Then she asked him if I drink on a daily basis! Note to self - stop joking in front of medical professionals.

Up next came station number 4 with more paperwork checking. The final station was a waiting room where I had to sit for 15 minutes. There was a big sign emphasizing no talking. So, everyone was simply staring at their phones.

Once my 15 minutes was up, I was free to leave. As we walked out of the building, I asked my husband if he put my next appointment in the calendar. After all, when he got his first shot, he was given a second appointment right then and there. It was the same for our neighbors. So, I assumed it would be the same for me. But they got their shots at private doctors offices, not a city run clinic. Instead, my husband had to seek out an appointment for me after 8pm.

Riding my bike back home brought a sense of relief that I haven't felt in over a year and a half. I know things are still incredibly scary out there (5,773 new cases in Tokyo today), but it felt just a little less scary than it did the day before.

Now I'm sporting a very sore arm, but a little brighter smile. Now I just have to patiently wait for shot number 2.

Summer has officially begun

Just as the rainy season was coming to an end last week, the cicadas began to sign the song of summer. To many Japanese people, the constant chirping is the sound of summer.

Right behind the cicadas came the start of summer vacation from school. It is a short six week break, but includes a good portion of homework to keep kids on their toes. My second grader is taking the workload in stride, tackling a little bit of it each day and thinking hard about what to do for his summer project. Last year he did a study of rhinoceros beetles. This year he is going to do an art project.

The bugs and beetles are out in full force in the park, encouraging the annual tradition of nighttime bug hunts. We have a new rule that our son can bring home a beetle from the park to observe, but must return it no later than one week later. So far, this has been a great compromise.

The heat has hit full force, with temps above 34°C (91°F) almost every day for the past week. I'm trying to get out in the morning and spend the afternoons indoors, but sometimes I barely get my potted plants in the yard watered.

And, tonight, the Olympics officially began. We stayed at home to watch the opening ceremony on television. It is weird knowing that this huge event is happening in my backyard (the Olympic Village is only 18 km/11 mi from my house), yet we are so distanced from the whole affair. For me, this Olympics will be the same as all the others as far as my only connection to it being via television. Long ago I thought we would go to one or two of the smaller events, but that is definitely not going to happen. I just hope that everyone is as safe as possible (although I've already read about 71 confirmed Covid cases associated with the games...).

While I have dreams of road trips, camping, and simply taking my son out into nature, I am coming to the realization that it just isn't going to happen this summer. When I told my friend this earlier today, she laughed and said "so you're wanting to give him an American summer?" I hadn't realized it, but her remark was right on the money. I'm just thankful that my son adores Japanese summers filled with bugs, fireworks, and finding a multitude of ways to beat the heat - especially with cold treats like shaved ice.

A waiting game

I’m feeling stressed. As time goes by, it is compounding and not reducing. The anxiety of Covid is unrelenting and continues to mount.

Tokyo’s numbers are on the rise, yet again. The government declared the 4th state of emergency for the prefecture since the pandemic first gripped the area on Wednesday. With almost 900 new cases reported yesterday, I find myself retreating into my home once again.

I thought that I would relax a bit after receiving my vaccine voucher, which I did last week. But it has only drawn out the anxiety. After more than 3 hours of working both online and on the phone, my husband was able to secure an appointment for me to get my first jab on August 12 - a month an a half after receiving my voucher.

He’s tried so many different options, but the earliest he could get me in was at a immunization clinic. Most private doctor offices were either out of appointments or we had to already be a client. I’m so thankful for his efforts, as everything I received was in Japanese and I would have struggled to understand how to do it myself.

We heard on the news that no one can make an appointment after August 23, as they are running out of vaccines and have not been able to secure more. This leaves millions and millions of people out of luck across Japan, without any hope to grasp onto in the near future. This tidbit of information makes me want to scream!

While this weighs on many, the government is still planning to proceed with the Olympics. While I understand that a lot of time and money has gone into planning and building this event, I cannot understand how they are going to orchestrate the games without endangering people’s lives. It makes no sense to me. I only hope that my fears are unfounded and we don’t have the same ramifications as I’ve heard about in other countries.

I am so thankful, my husband’s company will have an immunization clinic for employees that allows him to get a vaccine a whole month earlier than me. Although it means he will have to ride the train and go into the office (for the first time since late February last year), we felt it was the best option.

Normally, when I am this stressed out, I curl up with a good book or relax with a funny movie. But it feels like I have exhausted those options over the past year and a half. I am maxed out of patience and need a different stress reliever.

Rinse and repeat

We are in a vicious circle and it is incredibly discouraging. I have spent so much time ignoring the reality of my surroundings that when I heard today that the Japanese government is declaring, once again, a state of emergency order due to Covid, I was really irritated.

Just last week the schedule for immunizations in Nerima was communicated to the residents. They are currently vaccinating healthcare workers and those residing in elderly care facilities. In late May, people aged 75 and older will become eligible for vaccines. Those 65 and older can get vaccines starting late June. Mid July will open to those with preexisting conditions. The general public will have their time in August.

Although I highly doubt the schedule will remain the same, the news of this state of emergency gives me even less hope for the near future. It is really discouraging. When will I ever be able to see my family and friends again? Right now, it feels like never.

Pluck and pull

I’ve been making an effort to get out of the house more. I fear another lockdown is coming our way as coronavirus diagnoses are on the rise again. We have been beating records again and again. Yesterday over 2,100 new cases were reported in Japan. While this number isn’t anything compared to many other countries around the world, it is the most Japan has ever seen. I can’t help feeling like I need to take in as much oxygen as I can before another deep dive into the unknown.

I have been meeting with friends in the park for picnics, strolls, and chats. Outdoors is best for many things, including getting a dose of vitamin D. So, I’m getting my allotment of both interaction with humans as well as desperately needed immunity boosting vitamins.

I’ve also been trying to say yes more, instead of staying secluded at home. So when a family friend invited us out for a day at a farm, we jumped at the chance. I wasn’t willing to carpool, but my husband was willing to rent a car to have a day out in the countryside.

The friend’s family participates in a tax program, called Furosato Noze (foo-row-saw-toe no-zay), where they pay taxes in a city they do not reside in and they are rewarded with gifts. Something like 91% of people in Japan live in major cities. So small towns struggle to survive due to a lack of tax funding for infrastructure. By creating this tax program, the country can spread the wealth a bit. Participating in the program takes a little bit of work to set it up. So, to entice people to pay their taxes in their town, incentives that are special to the region are offered. Many people chose programs that send them gifts of food. Our friend selected a program where he can take his family out to a farm eight or nine times a year to plant and harvest produce. They can invite people to go with to share their rewards, if they so desire.

We headed out early in our rental car, following the friend’s car, for the hour and a half drive. It didn’t feel long at all before we were surrounded by farmed fields and tree covered hills. We parked in a grassy area in the middle of a farm. The kids quickly disappeared toward a play area while the adults got situated and our friend registered everyone.

This farm day featured two popular fall treats - picking kiwi and pulling daikon. Although we picked kiwi just the week before, we were excited to do it again in the beautiful setting of the farm. The kiwi vines were small in quantity, but the fruit was extremely plentiful. Obviously the plant loves having the space and healthy soil of the countryside. It didn’t take long for the kids to fill the bag given to us by the farmers - the amount allotted for each family participating in the tax program.

Next, we headed over to the daikon field. Our friends had planted a row of daikon earlier in the year and now we were getting to harvest them. We were given shovels to aid in getting the long root vegetables out of the ground. Not wanting to break them, we loosened the dirt and the kids wiggled the daikon until it could be easily pulled out. We harvested 20 or so daikon and only broke one of them. These kids are professionals!

The day before our excursion, I contacted our friend to ask what we should do for lunch. We had the option of going out to eat or having a BBQ. I wanted to have a BBQ, so I called and got details because a BBQ in Japan is very different than in the US. The farm had a BBQ area where we could rent a grill for ¥1500 ($14.50USD) for the afternoon. We decided to bring yakiniku (grilled meat and vegetables) as well as yakisoba (grilled noodles with meat and vegetables). The BBQ area was very nice.

The adults settled in to cook while the kids ran up a huge hill and rode a huge roller slide back down several times. I even went on it more than once. It was so much fun.

The time spent at the farm was so much fun. The kids all had a blast and the adults had plenty of time to relax and enjoy the outdoors. What a great way to get more mileage out of your tax dollars!



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Once home, I looked up recipes for daikon. I wanted to use the daikon, as well as yuzu that another friend brought me as a gift. I ended up making this one - which was a huge hit - based on a iheartumami.com recipe.


DAIKON WITH CHICKEN IN YUZU SAUCE

INGREDIENTS
1 lb Daikon radish
1 lb Chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
10 mushrooms, optional
1 tbsp potato starch
1.5 tbsp olive oil
2.5 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp coarse sea salt, plus more to taste
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1.5 tbsp yuzu juice
1.5 tbsp soysauce
2 tbsp green onions, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Slice off both ends of the daikon radish. Peel off the outer skin. Dice it to cube shape, about 1 to 1 ½ -inch cubes.
2. Dice the chicken to 1 ½ -inch bite sizes.
3. Slice off the bottom end of the mushrooms and break them to pieces, if using.
4. In a small bowl, make a slurry with starch and 1 tbsp water.
5. Preheat a large stir-fry pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the oil, chicken, ginger, and 1 tsp salt. Sauté for about 3 minutes.
6. Add stock, daikon radish, and mushrooms. Make sure the radish cubes are in contact with the liquid. Cover with a lid and bring it to boil, about 3-4 minutes.
7. Then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the daikon turns soft and can easily be poked through with a fork or chopstick. The color will turn from pale to translucent. Stir the pot periodically to ensure even cooking.
8. Season with yuzu juice and soy sauce. Stir the slurry one more time before adding it to the pot. Gently toss for 30 seconds to thicken the sauce. Off heat, taste and add more salt, if desired.
9. Garnish with green onions. Serve warm.

Where are all the athletes

Today was supposed to be the Opening ceremonies of the 2020 Olympic games.  As we all know, they have been rescheduled, set to start in one year.  While countdown clocks may have been reset, the national holiday commemorating this special day was still held.

Known as Sports Day (Suportsu No Hi), the national holiday is typically held the second Monday of October.  However, this year, the government moved the holiday to coincide with the opening ceremony.  It is celebrated in Japan with sports festivals at schools, which are so much fun for everyone involved.  So far, we've participated in 2 of them (first year and second year of kindergarten), creating fun memories for our son.

While it is unfortunate that the games had to be rescheduled for Covid, we are thankful for this fun holiday.  Our family took a walk between rain showers and my boys went on a bike ride later in the day.  We look forward to hopefully being able to enjoy a sports festival, or undokai, at our son's elementary school in October.  Time will tell if that can happen or not.

Go or stay

The Japanese government is trying to promote traveling domestically.  The economy is hurting (just like it is all over the world), and they want to get people out and spending money.  However, the rates of Covid infections is on the rise - especially in Tokyo.  So, they want people to travel and spend, unless you are from Tokyo.  

We had 284 new cases today in Tokyo alone.  This is really discouraging.  I'm nervous for the upcoming summer season (if this rainy season ever ends, that is).  I am sure my family will be sticking close to some, reminiscent of the quarantine earlier this year.  This thought depresses me so much.  

I miss traveling around Japan and actually doing things.  I miss exploring with my family and expanding our horizons. 

I want to stamp my feet like a young child and scream "Covid go away and don't come back!  Leave us alone!!!"  I'm sure I am not alone in this sentiment.

I cancelled it

My son and I were supposed to go to the dentist today.  But I just couldn't bring myself to go.  Teeth are very important.  We love our dentist.  But Covid is on the rise again.  243 new cases in Tokyo alone today.  I know this doesn't compare to the numbers in many US states, but it still scares me.

I hope I feel comfortable rescheduling soon, because teeth-care is very important.  But, today, I just couldn't make myself take my son on a train.  

Give some space

We went out to lunch today at a sushi restaurant.  This, in itself, is not unusual at all.  Between take out and dining at kaitensushi (conveyor belt sushi), we probably eat raw fish once a week.

When we started going back to sushi restaurants we noticed some differences.  When entering any restaurant, there is sanitizer spray at the entrance.  The spray is also at all the stores we've entered into since the lifting of the suggested quarantine.  

There is also plastic sheeting between the customers and the cashiers.  I've heard this is pretty standard in the US as well.

The big difference from pre-Covid to post is the plastic sheeting and other forms of dividers between seats.  

Is this the new normal?  Will we be wrapped in plastic for the rest of time now?

Return to sender

After reporting on my beloved small packet shipping earlier this week (after mailing another package to the US), I had a package returned!  

After returning home from my son's ballet class, I was busy cooking dinner.  The doorbell rang.  Using the intercom camera, I was excited to see the postman had a package for me.  I hadn't ordered anything, so it was very exciting.  When I answered the door, he handed me a large envelope with a package inside.  

I was a bit confused because the envelope has a Japanese return address.  Who would be sending me something from Japan?  I ripped the envelope open and found the package I had mailed on Monday.  There were also three sheets of paper - a form letter, a form, and a sample form indicating what I need to complete on the form.

The letter explained that due to Covid-19, flights between countries have significantly reduced, resulting in a lack of transportation to send things via air.  If I want, I can resend the package using surface shipping (aka by boat), but it can take up to four months to reach its destination!  F-O-U-R months!!!

The form is to get a refund.  Well, a refund of sorts.  I can opt to have the money deposited into my bank account or I can get the equivalent amount in stamps.  They are not offering a cash refund, even though that is how I paid.

While I might normally shrug my shoulders, I am pretty sad about this news.  The package contained a very special gift for a very special little girl and I'm sad that she won't receive her present.

The feeling of being trapped is getting more and more intense.  Now I can't even send packages in a timely manner to my loved ones.

The virus continues to spread

As Covid -19 numbers continue to rise in Japan (especially Tokyo, reporting 147 new cases in just the first seven days of June), I have the unsettled feeling that things are going to get worse before they get better.  

Just a short distance from our home, they have set up a drive through testing facility.  It is an interesting concept considering how many families I know that don't own a car.  But for those that do have a car and a concern that they've been exposed, I'm glad it is there for them.

As I watch the numbers rise again, it makes me question venturing out.  Are we doing the right thing?  Are we putting ourselves in danger?  How long can we survive without seeing our friends?

I don't have any answers.  But many people I know have gone back to their pre-covid lives.  I'm just not ready yet to think everything is alright.

Two steps forward, one back

The numbers are not looking good for Tokyo.  Just one week and one day after lifting the state of emergency, the Covid-19 numbers are back on the rise.

It is no surprise at all to me.  But with 34 cases diagnosed today, it is more nerve-wracking than I'd like to admit.

Tokyo might be enacting "Tokyo Alert" tomorrow, asking the people of Tokyo to be on high alert regarding Covid-19.  

With a child restarting school, I will be monitoring this very, very closely - especially exactly where those new cases are located.

More masks - summer edition

With my son starting school on Monday, he will have to wear a mask everyday.  This isn't just my requirement.  The school is also requiring kids and staff to wear masks at all times.

He already has a lot of homemade masks, but he gets really hot wearing them in the warm and humid weather.  So, I decided to make him some thin masks.  

I took apart the Abe-masks to use both the elastic and gauze.  For the front of the masks, I used really thin fabric.

Hopefully the two layers (one layer of cotton, one of gauze) will allow him to release more heat from his body so he doesn't get overheated as the temperatures continue to rise.  But it will still capture his spit, reducing the chance of transmitting Covid-19.

If he still gets overheated, I saw somewhere that people were sewing little pockets inside masks to put tiny ice packs.  I'll take things one step at a time, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying this method as well.

In need of a hug

What I wouldn't do for a hug right now.  Not just any hug, but a hug from certain individuals.  Everyone hugs differently and we come to rely on certain hugs from certain people to bring us joy, give us comfort, and connect us with the other person.

Don't get me wrong - my husband and son are doing their best in the hug department.  I love getting hugs from both of them.  Those two fill my love cup regularly.  I'm missing hugs from my loved ones in the US.

Since moving to Japan, I've gone back to the US every six months or so.  At this point, I have not been back for six months, but it feels like so much longer!  The US is feeling even further away than normal because I don't know when I will be able to go back for a visit.

For the past two months, Japan has required all foreign residents to get special permission to re-enter from the Justice Ministry.  While this seems like a simple hurdle, the fact of the matter is that the Justice Ministry is not releasing what is and is not a valid reason for travel outside Japan.  And they aren't planning on letting people know the rules any time soon.  

This means I am free to leave at any time, but I can't come back!  Since our livelihood and home are currently in Japan, this makes for a lot of stress.  What if I need to go see a sick or hurt family member?  Or worse?  NHK just ran a story about a man being denied a re-entry permit to attend his mother's funeral (click here for the article).  At what point will it be okay to travel and can I guarantee I will be allowed back in?

I keep having dreams about getting to immigration at the airport.  They let my husband and son through and then block me from entering - sending me screaming back to the US without my family.  It is an excruciating way to wake up.  

As Japan reopens following the end of the state of emergency, we see walls being removed and people able to leave the confines of their homes.  But for me, the walls just moved a little bit.  They are still very much there.  The walls have an exit, but no way to return.

No matter how much I want to see and hug my friends and family, it isn't going to happen any time soon.  And it crushes me to know this.

School bell is ringing

We received the official email from the school today.  Kids will return on Monday.

Each class will be broken in half, with half of the kids assigned to go first thing in the morning for two hours.  The other half will go to school for the same amount of time later in the day.  Schedules will change each week for at least four weeks.

I have so many questions!  With the kids only attending for two hours a day, what will the day consist of?

Since our homeschooling currently takes about two hours to complete, I can't imagine they would be able to cover the same amount of work in a classroom.  So that begs the question, will we still be doing supplemental homeschooling?

And, most importantly, will they clean the classrooms in between?  Japanese schools are well-known for having students clean the schools.  With Covid-19 still a concern, how will they make sure the classrooms are satisfactorily cleaned?  Will adults help or simply monitor (like I've seen in the past)?

Of course, I have mixed feelings about sending my child to school.  I'm sure this internal conflict is much more that the normal concerns and worries.  And I'm not sure anyone can fully calm my mind right now.  There are just so many unknowns.

Lifting of the state of emergency

My son and I got to spend some time at the park today.  We sat in a semi-wooded area that had almost no other people in the area.  It was a nice little break after spending the morning doing his homeschooling.

Afterwards, we walked to the store to pick up some allspice, which I needed for dinner.  As we walked home from the store, we passed by some budding hydrangeas.  The flowers made me smile, as I have always loved hydrangeas.  They are plentiful around here, making the season even better.

After coming home and eating dinner, it was time to watch the news.  The government officially announced the end of the state of emergency in the entire nation.  On the one hand it is a huge relief.  On the other hand, I wonder if we are really ready.  

I saw a report today by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that showed the number of Covid-19 tests that were administered each day since the end of January.  With over 17,000 tests On April 3, 551 people were tested.  

Will the numbers stay down?  When will the next wave of infections surface and how quickly will the government respond when that happens?  There are so many questions racing through my mind.

At this point, my family will probably stick close to what we have been doing for the last month and a half (well, longer than that) for a while longer.  I know there will be a rush to get out and see and do.  We don't need to be part of that rush.

A big cover up

Our Abe-masks have finally arrived.  Over a month and a half ago on April 1, Prime Minister Abe committed to sending 2 cloth masks to every household in Japan.  Knowing that many households have more than 2 people in them, there were a lot of jokes about how they would be distributed between the family members.

We didn't think much about the masks, other than wondering when they would arrive.

As time went on, we heard even more jokes about the size of them (fit a kid, but not an adult).  We were curious, but there was no sight of them.

Finally, they arrived today.  I checked the mailbox and there they were.  I think my husband was a bit disappointed I found them because he's mentioned their lack of arrival more than once.

I have to agree with the teasing.  They are comically small.

Avoid the "3 C's" - Closed spaces, Crowded places, and Close conversations.

Washing instructions and notes for daily life.

A note explaining the masks.

But I actually don't want to use the mask.  Stores, even online ones, have been out of thin elastic for weeks and weeks.  I am going to utilize the mask elastic for my own homemade masks.  So, they won't be going to waste.  They just won't be used for what they were intended for.

Coronavirus through a child’s eyes...

I saw this going around Facebook and thought I would ask my son about Covid-19.  These are his answers.  He is currently 6 years old.

1. What is Covid-19?
It’s a virus that looks like a crown. And if you get it you would cough and sneeze. That makes your breathing very hard. Hard to breathe.

2. How many days have we been home?
Aaaaaaa lot! It feels like 1,000, but it’s actually not.

3. Do you want to go back to school?
Which school?  I want to see my new friends and I do want to go to my new school.

4. Who is the first person you are going to hug when this is over?
Shin-kun. If I could I would do Kako-Chan.

5. Where is the first place you want to go?
US. Africa. And … ask me again later.

6. What do you think we can do to get rid of the Coronavirus?
Keep washing hands. 10 times a day. More vitamins. D!  Vitamin D the most!  But it’s really hard to get because you wear a jacket, you wear a mask...

7. Are mom and dad good teachers?
(Laughing)  Ummm… Very good teachers. 1,051% I can say they are good teachers.

8. How did the coronavirus start?
I don’t know. How did it???

9. If you had to wear protective clothing what would it be?
Mask, hat, jacket that won’t warm up, pants is what I would wear for protective clothing.

10. Are you enjoying being home?
Nods head yes. Yes I am enjoying. We can play games like we did yesterday. We could make stuff. I could do anything but not something that allows a park and play equipment and something else.

11. What is your favorite thing about staying home everyday?
I can be with my family.

12. What is your least favorite thing about staying home everyday?
I can’t be with my friends. Also I miss being at the park. Wearing a mask!

13. Is there anything else you’d like to say about coronavirus?
Bad coronavirus. I want to fling it into outer space. Coronavirus needs to move around. It doesn’t like to stay still. If we sent it there, it would be gone. That’s just a guess.
I’m very sad because our friends and us are getting further and further from each other. Coronavirus is bad.

Is the end near

There are talks about removing the state of emergency.  The Japanese government has already removed the edict for 39 of the 47 prefectures.  They say they might remove it for even more prefectures as early as tomorrow.

Using a simple calculation of how many new cases are diagnosed in the past week (less than .5 new cases per 100,000 people), government officials determine if the area is out of immediate danger.

Tokyo is not yet being considered for lifting the state of emergency, along with 2 other prefectures, as our numbers are still too high.

In addition to new cases, government officials are also monitoring capacity to provide medical services and how tracking systems are working (called polymerase chain reaction tests).  I wonder if these will be used to reinstate the orders, if needed.

I am hopeful that we are turning the corner.  But I am also afraid to be hopeful.  My son asks daily if Covid 19 is getting "bigger" or not.  I tell him what I know - the numbers are getting smaller, but we still need to be careful and do our best to not spread germs.