Day Twenty-Three - Tigers, Saliva and Pink Moons

You might remember a few days ago I was opining about whether cats could carry the virus on their fur and the worry owners might have with letting their cats out to roam freely. But it seems animals themselves could be at risk. A tiger in the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19. Alarming? Or merely unusual? I'd need to do some research but I can't think offhand of illnesses that infect across species like this. Then on the BBC News veterinary scientists are recommending cat owners keep their pets indoors to help stop the disease spreading amongst animals. The BVA have chipped in saying that owners shouldn't worry about catching the virus from their pets as there is not a single case of a dog or cat infecting a human. May I add a caveat to that? YET. One of the scariest signs about this illness is that it keeps throwing up anomalies. Animals catching it, people getting reinfected. It all says to me that either this virus is evolving faster than it can be understood or it is so complex investigations are slower than desirable in identifying the potential information we need in order to contain and combat it.

Still on the subject of animals many dog walkers are not keeping their dogs on leads still. The advice on the government website does not stipulate that dogs shield be kept on lead but other organisations are advising it. I usually welcome dogs coming up to me but not now. I am unwilling to take the risk.

I was out before 6 this morning, so I could see the moon having missed it last night! Duh. I tried to take a photo but how can you really capture something of that magnitude. It's better to feast your eyes on it and then commit to memory. Anyway here you are! It just doesn't do it justice. It reminded me of the bit in E.T. where Elliot is riding his bike with E.T. in the basket in front of the moon.

I am wondering what's ahead for us. I'm sure it isn't my imagination because I sit here at my desk regularly looking out onto the street. But I am sure there are more cars this week and more people about. I also remember just a couple of weeks ago, the sound of a car or peoples' voices had me running to the window to see what was 'going on', such sounds had become rare. They aren't now. This means that people are being less conscientious about adhering to the lockdown protocols which is worrying. It isn't going to help slow down the spread of the virus. People have so little staying power these days. No one wants to think or look long term, think about the bigger picture. It's all about 'now' and instant gratification. It's almost as if people are saying, okay, I've done for it a couple of weeks, nothing's changed, I'm going out. Not me. I was discussing with a friend what would actually happen when the lockdown was over and we both agreed that we would emerge from it very cautiously and gradually. I will probably maintain the hygiene protocols for months, maybe forever!! I have to say it's becoming second nature to wipe and spray everything at the front door. I had to remonstrate with my brother today because he's been out twice! The second time was because he fancied some Cobra beer. He went to two places and didn't get any. I told him it was not essential. He assured me that he wears gloves when he goes shopping. He also very proudly told me in the hope that it would placate me that he'd been for a very long walk the previous  day. It didn't.

Given the report of the 20 year old man arrested for deliberately wiping saliva on supermarket products shows you how careful you have to be. But what is in the mind of someone to do such a thing? Why? He was tested and was not found to be carrying the virus. But he wouldn't  have know that beforehand. I've also seen videos on social media of people doing similar things on public transport, wiping their saliva along hand rails. These were from other countries and before social distancing and  lockdown were implemented here. Maybe that's where the idea came from? It's so sad that there are people out there with the mentality to behave in such a way.

I've dispensed with the song lyric thing. No one was showing any interest after the first two or three. But I'll put the answers here in case anyone is desperate to know. 😂

'Don't Touch Me Please' - Tainted Love by Soft Cell
'Choose a Future, Choose Life' - Choose Life by Ewan MacGregor with PF Project
"I Will Survive' - I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
'You Better Shape Up' - You're the One That I Want by Olivia Newton John and John Travolta
'I'm Getting Ready for the Heartaches to Come' - Standing in the Shadow of Love by the Four Tops

I gave the answers to the previous ones already!

And that's it for today folks. Not sure many people are reading this now. No matter. It is part of my lockdown routine and I enjoy it.