First, the British are born with social distancing genetically programmed. Since I moved here, it's been upsetting how damn huggy Americans are! Now that I have an excuse to tell people to stay away I'm far more relaxed about going out. It's also easy to do when you're the only people sitting on the aeroplane. It's harder in restaurants, where I've been getting dirty looks from waiters when suggesting that maybe we could sit over there rather than right by the only other people in here.
Second, did no one wash their hands before this all started? I've seen some terrifying statistics, backed up by my anecdotal observations and the amount of abuse I've been getting from Vince and Christine (who we met up with here) for my hygiene evangelism. As a life-long nail biter, this is going a long way to curing me of putting my fingers in my mouth.
Today the governor announced that all Florida's bars and restaurants are basically shut, with the same in Houston. It's frustrating to see how knee-jerk the responses have been: "let's pretend nothing is happening until we hit a wall". I can't help feeling a more measured approach could keep things moving, keep people safe and keep people employed. A new normal, as it were, where you're ushered to the restroom to wash your hands as you enter any public building, where seats are a lot further apart than normal, where we bow Japanese style and stop standing so close, where we enjoy solitary walks in nature before going home and reading quietly. You know, the way I believe the world always should have worked. Sadly only me and South Korea agree on this.
We were planning to stay until Sunday, but with rumours of a domestic travel ban in the works we're flying on Thursday instead. If we get stuck, the car rental company is going to be surprised to get their vehicle back in Houston instead of Orlando. We'll then be isolating for three weeks while Pete's school closure has been extended and Hannah's working from home. Then - hopefully - the USA will be in a much better position to assess things, and we might be allowed to fly back to Britain again one day.
Until then, don't forget to wash your hands.
No one nearby? Lots of UV to kill all known bugs? Looks good.
Claire is now TALL! Could you put a bit more space between yourselves? Thanks.
A Florida-sized pretzel.
Big palm tree, little Miami.
Pete and a coconut.
Getting suspicious looks from a local.
The Everglades.
Another local, more looks.
And more space! This might genuinely be the USA's best defense, some of it is very big and very empty.
Pool hustlers.
The happy faces of children who have just been made to wash their hands, again, by me.
