Bali is opening slowly these days, although a number of restrictions are still in effect and various measures have been taken to dissuade the gathering of large crowds. In Plaza Renon mall, for instance, only the lower part of the parking lot is open, thus limiting the number of people who can visit the mall at the same time. The escalators don't work (making things difficult for old guys like me with weak legs). Masks are required and one must have his temperature taken upon entry. Starbucks is open, with restricted hours, coffee must be served in paper cups, and food is served without plates or utensils. There was a large gathering at a popular street market in Kerobokan but this was closed down by the police when crowd size and social distancing rules were not being observed.
Step by step as we enter the brave new world of what President Jokowi calls 'the new normal'.
At the same time, I hear from my doctor friend in Surabaya, now a 'black zone city', that her close friend, a fellow doctor, has died from corona. She tells me that the situation 'is going to get much worse'.
And we are at a loss really, aren't we, as to what we are to do. Life must go on, the wheels of economy around the world must grind back into motion. We watch as infection rates rise again and we begin to feel like you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. We feel like we have made an extraordinary effort, and yet it appears that the disease merely ducked its head for a moment and then began swinging again. We continue to perform our puny measures of self preservation, wearing our masks, washing our hands, avoiding human touch, and we walk forth again into a world of random chance. Bisa buat apa? as they say here. What else can one do?
Step by step as we enter the brave new world of what President Jokowi calls 'the new normal'.
At the same time, I hear from my doctor friend in Surabaya, now a 'black zone city', that her close friend, a fellow doctor, has died from corona. She tells me that the situation 'is going to get much worse'.
And we are at a loss really, aren't we, as to what we are to do. Life must go on, the wheels of economy around the world must grind back into motion. We watch as infection rates rise again and we begin to feel like you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. We feel like we have made an extraordinary effort, and yet it appears that the disease merely ducked its head for a moment and then began swinging again. We continue to perform our puny measures of self preservation, wearing our masks, washing our hands, avoiding human touch, and we walk forth again into a world of random chance. Bisa buat apa? as they say here. What else can one do?
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