Arriving in New York

Well, after a very wet weekend in Israel with torrential rain from Thursday night to Saturday morning my enforced stay may at least be sunny and bright.

I think that might be optimistic - and I'm not generally an over-pessimistic person (though I might err slightly that way ).

Though I'm interested in the views, I prefer to keep out of debate on the best method of handling the outbreak (since I am not in receipt of much of the relevant data, and can't do much to influence anyone's approach but my own and immediate family) but it is only 6 months to the end of Summer, and all the indications are that the situation is likely to get worse (and the Government response to it more draconian) rather than better in that intervening timescale.

If you give credence to the idea that the Government is trying to "flatten" the demand on the NHS, then it is very likely that significant restrictions are going to be implemented in that timescale (and also that the "levelling" approach will extend the duration of the outbreak).

The crinklies are already being softened up for prolonged lock-down (maybe up to four months is being suggested, but who knows?). I'd be quite surprised, if things continue as they are, if this wasn't followed by complete "area" or city lockdowns for all the population where infection rates are highest. (In essence, I think the approach of many other European countries will eventually be implemented, but the Government is being careful about timing to ensure greater compliance). 

In short, I do think we are in unprecedented times. Even if the rates of contagion and death are at the lower levels of debate, there will be significant disruption to normal life required to manage the fall-out, and it will continue for longer than most of us will be happy with. Under the circumstances, and whilst this continues, I think it is going to be difficult, and certainly uncomfortable (possibly physically, but certainly mentally), to spend much of one's life out of touch with your home base.

It is strange that huge changes in one's lifestyle happen very quickly.

The use of technology is a series of incremental steps such that now we cannot live without the internet, but in reality we can if we set our minds to it. But changes in society that we are seeing are rapid and unprecedented and the effect on individuals is astonishing. We are all affected by it negatively some more than others.

Will we return to our old ways? If so, when and if not, is this the new normal?

Has the golden age of international travel ended. Those of us who chose to buy holiday homes overseas, when we will next use them? If family members moved overseas, when will next see them?

We are so used now to 'mixed marriages'; they improve the gene pool. Will this reduce so we have more families from the same geographic and genetic pool, so what will happen to health?

So many questions.....no one has the answers.

I fear that this may become the new normal. Huge savings in energy, pollution, time and money in curtailing citizens’ mobility, the planet might thank is for it. But huge social costs: isolation, depression etc.

This is what would have been the centrepiece of our visit. 


A few weeks ago I was cursing my family for failing to agree on a plan for a summer holiday. Now, as a result of all that inconclusive bickering, we are at least without any plans to unwind or insurance claims to make.