COVID. I'm wondering how it is affecting everyone around the world...

This has been so interesting. In South Africa we are suffering with a new strain of Covid. There is a curfew from 9.00 in the evening to 6.00 in the morning. All restaurants have to close at 8.00. We cannot buy alcohol. We have always worn our masks when outdoors but it has now been made compulsory. All beaches are closed. Our hospitals are full.
We will probably not get the vaccine until mid year.
Let us all hope that this year will be kinder.

update now we have 10 cases, back to manditory mask wearing indoors border closed to all New South Wales, only 15 people allowed in your home down from 30 starts tonight New Years Eve, we are not getting rid of covid until the injection...wendy

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by hightechgrammy 31 Dec 2020

It will be so nice when this is behind us. I am hoping to get the vaccine soon as I'm 70 and have asthma and diabetes. I'm healthier than I have been in a long long time! Stay well and safe!

I live in Florida, USA and we are almost totally open. Masks are not required except in a few stores, in hair salons and most medical facilities. We are encouraged to get out in the sunshine. Our numbers are very low, hospitals are nowhere near capacity. Most of us will keep the 6 foot social distancing in stores, etc, but we are visiting family and friends who we know are healthy. And anyone who feels they don't feel quite right are very good about staying home.

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by hightechgrammy 30 Dec 2020

Florida has quite the phenomena - not locked down, people going places and low rate of infection! I'm so happy for you!

by jofrog2000 01 Jan 2021

But reading information state by state gives a much different picture.

In California everything is closed except essential services...California is under siege as we have the worst Covid transmission in the entire United States...it's frightening.

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by crafter2243 30 Dec 2020

Specially in Southern California. Not quite as bad in the northern part, but still lockdown.

I am in Wales, UK. We are very like Belgium and the Nederlands regarding shops, leisure centres, pubs, all none essential shops this includes fabric shops are shut. No visiting other people’s homes. For Christmas we were going to be able to have 3 families together for 5 days. This was then reduced to 2 families for 25th only. The plus point of no inside visitors is probably standards of housework has slipped... We are asked to keep 2m or 6’ from each other. Daily outdoor exercise can be bike or foot but not travelling in a car first. Today I’m off with my older daughter as she has a COVID jab as she is a nurse.

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by hightechgrammy 30 Dec 2020

That had to be so disappointing to have to change your plans and not have your larger family. :-(
How is your weather in Wales this time of year??

In Belgium we are only allowed to have 1 guest in our house.
Fireworks are also not allowed.
Facemasks was already long time obligated in public & at work. we do still have an "evening clock" that starts at 12 until 5 am
Shops are open but in limited visitors mode and only you can spent 30 min to shop. Hairdressers, beauty shops, gyms, restaurants are still closed. Restaurant are allowed to create "take away"

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by hightechgrammy 30 Dec 2020

Some cities in the US have curfews - I think that may be the same as "evening clock." I was wondering if churches are open... Stay Well!!

in the Netherlands, all is closed except necessary shops for grocery , pharmacy , shops for pet foods. Theatres, musea , restaurants, hairdressers , beauty salons, covered playgrounds etc. are closed. No fireworks alllowed on New years eve, max. 2 persons are allowed to visit your home. Facemask in public covered places and in the shops......Schools are closed people try to work at home.....and we have to keep distance 1,5 meter between persons

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by hightechgrammy 31 Dec 2020

Hi Gerry, I'm so interested to know how it is going in the Netherlands. We have lots of families there with Ben's syndrome. The two discoverers of Koolen DeVries syndrome are from Amsterdam! Stay safe and well!

In Victoria Australia, we have had 60 days with no community transmission, after a very hard lock down. Only returned Aussie's from overseas have covid, when they get of the plane they go straight into hotel lock down for 2 weeks, New South Wales has some in Sydney that they are trying to get on top of, so no Sydney siders are welcome in any other states. they get turned around at the boarders. It is terrible what is happening in other countries, we all feel very lucky to be in Australia...wendy

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by hightechgrammy 30 Dec 2020

Thank you, Wendy. That is so encouraging!

by dailylaundry 30 Dec 2020

Wow, Wendy, that just goes to show you what a hard lock down can do to stop the spread.