A LETTER...

... to a friend on the other side of the world...

Hello again, from a shut-down Los Angeles!

I hope you got my quick thank you for your email a couple of days ago. I’m now finally trying to catch up after some bewildering days. There’s plenty of time right now because Ellie and I are now at home on lockdown, at the strong urging of everyone who speaks with a voice of authority. What we hear from our “president” is ridiculous, of course, but his voice has become largely irrelevant now that more serious people have superseded it. There are a number of people speaking out from the nation's capital with wisdom, knowledge and experience, and we believe we must listen to them. We are particularly circumspect because we belong to the most vulnerable age group, the older Americans. I’m guessing that the same is true for you in Australia. There seems to be no place in the world that’s unaffected as this thing continues to spread.

While we’re limiting our exposure now, we were not so careful last week, before the full extent of the problem became clear. Our grandson (8 years old) goes to school close by, and we usually pick him up from school at least once a week and keep him overnight. As a single mother, our daughter is always grateful for the break, and we are delighted to have him with us. Last week was no exception: he stayed over for a couple of nights, and who knows what he might have brought home with him, after being in touch with hundreds of other kids all day? Children, it seems, may not be symptomatic, but can be excellent carriers nonetheless. And of course we had to go shopping at the weekend, to stock up.

You mentioned the shortage of toilet paper in your email! It has also been flying off the shelves this side of the Pacific, along with hand sanitizer—now impossible to find. Even online, the delivery dates of such things are being pushed way back for months to come. We made our own, with a mix of rubbing alcohol and aloe vera, and a splash of essential lavender oil. Soap and water, though, it seems, are equally effective. Otherwise, we tried to stock up—without going completely crazy, as many seem to be doing!—with some of the essentials for the kitchen: soup and pasta, some other canned goods, bread for the freezer, and the dairy basics.

Since last night, Sunday evening, state governors and city mayors have been popping up everywhere on TV screens (and telephones!) with new orders and restrictions. Here in Los Angeles, it’s not only cinemas, theaters and sports venues that are closed for business, but also yoga studios and gyms--and now even restaurants, except for take-out or delivery. The people in charge at the federal level have just announced a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people—parties, weddings, funerals!. But you have to wonder, why 50? Couldn’t 25 be just as risky? 20? 10? 

I woke this morning thinking of Candide’s itinerant professor, Pangloss: "All is for the best," he insisted, "in this best of all possible worlds." That was Voltaire at his satirical best, of course, having fun at the expense of the Enlightenment philosopher Leibniz. But what a mess this world is in! I heard last week that America’s favorite Mr. Nice Guy, the actor Tom Hanks, and his wife came down with the coronavirus down under. If even Tom Hanks is vulnerable, what does that say for the rest of us?

And, ah yes, the primaries, to decide who's best to challenge the current occupant of our "people's house"--I cannot bring myself to write his name!--and throw him out of office.There was another debate last night, the Democratic candidates now reduced to just two, and I think Vice President Biden came out ahead. I'm glad about that. I like many of Senator Sanders’ ideas but I'm not keen on a “revolution” at the moment, thanks very much; and I find his irascibility hard to take. Biden’s an old geezer, to be sure, with a sometimes questionable political record and prone to gaffes, but I think most Democrats agree that what we need right now is a steady, experienced hand at the wheel, along with the basic decency and compassion Biden has come to represent. He has certainly lived through great pain in his life and pain, if nothing else, can be a great teacher. It seems to me that the whole world needs a lesson right now in basic humanity. Perhaps, who knows, that could prove to be the silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic.

And then there are the current rains—unusual for Los Angeles so late in the rainy season. It has been raining on and off for days, and the forecast predicts that it wll continue for more days to come. So strange. We welcome it, even though it can be an inconvenience.

All done for now. Thinking of you and sending good thoughts for your health, and your family’s. Let's stay as close in touch as time and space allow.

Love, Peter