this is highway 401, one of the major arteries of the city and part of the "national highway system of canada". this part of the highway is north america's busiest and widest. in normal times, there would be gridlock especially during the city's rush hours and on weekends. as you can see, both eastbound (on the right) and westbound lanes are almost empty. this never happens. traffic might be a little light but still with plenty of cars, going at the speed limit, but not empty like this.
this pandemic is bringing most nations to its knees. even the powerful america has closed its borders to stem the tide but with little success, if the news that reached us is to be believed. malls are empty, with a few stupid people (like me) going there -- i needed to buy my moisturizer, which is an essential item for an old crinkling hag like me. but the stores, save for a brave few who are hoping to make a sale before the final shutdown is announced, are empty. largest parking lot this side of town, empty.
at the grocery store, i made a mistake with a purchase and because i needed some sugar, i had to go back in the afternoon thinking i could have it returned. store is "not refunding or accepting returns" until further notice. i don't understand that bullshit, so i went back home with the items. my sister and i were thinking of putting in a box of goodies for our siblings in manila but the philippines is in a total shutdown. my cousin writes that they cannot go beyond a certain distance from their house, they needed to wear a mask or something to cover their faces. they need a special permit to be able to leave the village and only for something really essential. so my sister and i thought afterwards, if we send a box, it might be intercepted if it arrives in two months' time and there's food shortage, and philippine customs are notorious for thieving goods.
i found on youtube a speech delivered by bill gates in 2015, describing exactly this pandemic. how'd he know that? and an old sylvia browne book talked of this situation specifically mentioning 2020. we have the capability to fight a war but not to stop a pandemic. do you think that it's all those particles that the space shuttles and rockets coming in and out of the atmosphere that brought this virus albeit unintentionally? is it a country's scheme to catch the big powers unawares so that they can take over as the main world power? what theories have you heard?
and isn't chocolate an essential item? i don't understand why the chocolatier at the mall is closed down!!!!
It is a weird time we live in at the moment! My husband has been issued a letter from Homeland Security that he can show to law enforcement to show that his job is a job of necessity!
@ukandie1 - it was a beautiful day since yesterday albeit a little bit on the cold side. we've had very few of these nice days though. hope the weather there gets better.
@kali66 - people keep sending me links and suggesting books but i read one or listen to one and it's enough to make me depressed. hearing the bill gates speech, if this lasts through the summer, my pension will be in centavos by the time i actually retire. scary, indeed. i hope there will be room for me under the bridge!
@summerfield freezing cold days in Chicagoland normally equal sunny cloudless skies,absolutely beautiful love them, they are a glimpse of what is to come! Temps just above freezing equal grey cloud filled days, hate them! Looking for more of the brutal bright blue sky days!
i don't want to watch the movie, nor am i recommending it!
NZ is at level 2 alert, 66 known cases, no deaths so far, but the borders are closed, it feels surreal, we are so isolated where we live its hard to believe it could be in our community yet, but tourism is a main industry, all but crippled now . 2 of my sons are in the city and will be affected more in coming days by restrictions, university has just been changed to online only.
Yesterday the Prime Minister announced the shutting down of ALL un essential businesses, including professional firms. We are locked in, even walking the dog will be allowed within 200m from one’s door!
Wow, that's certainly not the 401 that we drove along (me in absolute terror). Graham and I were only talking about that Bill Gates' speech yesterday. Things are getting a lot more serious here. Our state border is closing on Tuesday as we head into lock down. Cinemas, pubs and clubs will be closed and cafes and restaurants will only be permitted to serve takeaway and that's just the start.
you express the alarming thoughts that I am trying to surpress. Yes - ofcoourse chocolate is essential, but …. Over in UK we are just a couple of weeks behind Italy and look with horror at what is reality there. Yet our NHS is already screaming and our death rates are escalating at a higher rate than Italy. The supermarket shelves are empty and the divide seems as big as Brexit between those who are scared s**t and those who nonchalantly try to carry on.
It's eerie not to hear vehicles on the interstate that runs near my house. Busy through the week, but last night at 10pm - silent. While I don't know of anyone who has the illness in my town, I guess I would rather err on the side of caution for nothing, than play fast and loose and get sick.
March 23rd, 2020
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NZ is at level 2 alert, 66 known cases, no deaths so far, but the borders are closed, it feels surreal, we are so isolated where we live its hard to believe it could be in our community yet, but tourism is a main industry, all but crippled now . 2 of my sons are in the city and will be affected more in coming days by restrictions, university has just been changed to online only.