3675, up more than 2000 cases in 4 days and now the schools have closed

 Yesterday I was out very early to shop.  I wanted to buy enough food so we do not need to go out for a few weeks.  I wore a face mask.  I felt a little silly because no one else had on a facemask. but I was keenly aware of the number of people coughing.  and I have a cough too.  I have restricted my contact for two weeks. I did shop but distanced myself.   Sarah, on the other hand, had to go to school.  She must come in contact with a few thousand people a week. That is with school, train rides and soccer games.  And Juergen and Jessica both cut way back on social contact.  But they both must have seen at least 30 to 60 people.  So we may all already have the Coronavirus.  We are all coughing.  My lungs hurt a little.  None of us are sick enough to be tested.  I wish I knew if it was the virus in a light form.  But there are not enough test kits.  So we may never know.  It could just be hey fever?  I am sure a lot of people wonder if this is it.  But I am grateful that so far it is not so bad that there is no question.  Very grateful for that! I am no doctor.  There are some reports that zinc can help your body fight coronavirus.  It is not going to cure anyone or prevent you from getting it.  But I am taking zinc and vitamin C every day. It might help you fight the virus.  They use it in Korea.  They have the same caseload as Italy but half the death rate. And of course, Italy has a very old population, so it may really not be the zinc that is making the difference.  But it is not harmful to take a zinc supplement. 

Today we all slept in.  and there is a nice feeling to be home.  Juergen is blessed.  He is in software.  He can manage his job from home. Others, of course, are not so blessed. I imagine many are wondering how they can pay for food, rent or even their health insurance.  In Germany, parents can not by law allow grandparents to babysit right now.  So I know many parents are wondering how they can go to work if the schools are closed.  There are programs being put in place to pay people temporary unemployment benefits. And even self-employed people will qualify to receive some assistance. And they may start doing online school.  On Monday there is an information meeting at Sarah's school.  so it maybe she does online school.  We have the internet and many computers in our house.  But some may not.  So I am wondering what can be done for the ones who are in this gap?   I'm pretty confident someone is considering this.  Germans are very organized.  I expect that we will see the entire country shut down by the end of the week.  every store, church, theater, and program.  only food stores and drug stores will be open.  That is my guess. As long as the bakers keep baking, I think we will have peace. I am pretty sure Germany will close everything down by the end of next week...maybe sooner.   We may go to the building supply store and buy paint and moving boxes.  I want to repaint my kitchen sometime in the next weeks.  I also want to declutter.  I will be careful to distance myself from the other shoppers, wear a mask and wash my hands when I get back to the car. But if you need supplies for projects...I highly recommend you buy them now.