Day 14 - Los Angeles lifts its vaccine mandate. A vax card is no longer required.

*Lunch at Finneys after the Salt Marsh…*

The BA2 sub-variant is on the rise and is now the most dominant variant globally - it’s 60% more infectious than Omicron. More infectious than Omicron!? I don’t know how that’s possible. Recall that at Omicron’s peak, a few months ago, public health officials determined that 800,000 Americans per day caught the “Cron.” Now, BA2 is 60% more infectious? Can it move through walls?

The Biden Administration gave up on any meaningful Covid plan [recall that Trump also pretended Covid-19 didn’t exist and suggested we stop Covid testing because, hey, if we don’t have positive Covid tests it ain’t happening] so now it’s on us, individually, to “assess our risk factor.” The concept of “public health” no longer applies in our country. Instead, each of us are expected to dig deep and channel that “rugged spirit of individualism” unique to America, i.e., if you’re poor, sick, or were involved in a horrible accident, that’s on you. You’re responsible for your misfortune and you brought it on yourself - no universal healthcare for you, damn it!

The same concept applies to Covid. But don’t worry…help is on the way! In keeping with the “spirit of individualism”, which is really just a bogus concept designed to maintain the status quo by keeping the rich wealthy and the poor and sick down, there is fresh hope in the form of “risk cards.” Americans are now expected to assess their own level of risk. In other words, your health (and death) is now your responsibility. “My body my choice!” “Public health”, as we know it, is gone.

According to Dr. Kimberly Shriner, Infectious Disease Specialist at Huntington Hospital, there are various risk cards ‘in play’ and you need to look at the ‘hand you were dealt’ because God knows we can’t rely on the CDC. In addition, the FDA also lost all credibility when they approved Astrozeneca [Note: these playing card metaphors are coming from me, not Dr. Shriner [insert smile emoji here]. Here are some of the “risk cards:”

1) What’s my immune status?

2) Was I ever infected?

3) Am I fully vaccinated?

4) Am I immuno-compromised?

5) Am I older than 65?

6) Do I have someone immuno-compromised at home?

7) Is the event I’m attending in a closed, indoor area?

You get the general idea. Basically, it’s what the red states have been doing since Day One. If you die or get Long Covid, it’s on you and you deserve it. You weren’t strong enough to beat the ‘Rona’ and America doesn’t need your kind anyway.

“Deal me in!”

4/13/22. Wednesday

8:00-8:30-I’m awake and I go downstairs to say good morning to the animal. She’s up and running around so we go outside straight away, where I discover that she pooped in several places on the patio. great. I survey my plants while I wait for her to go potty and note that they’re looking dry. Return inside and coffee for me, cheese for her.

8:30-9:15-I water my plants. and drink my coffee.

9:15-10:30-Upstairs and I sit in the shower, finish my coffee, and ice my eyes while listening to The Daily. Lotion. Light make-up. I wear yoga pants, a tank top, sports bra, tennis shoes, etc. Light make-up.

10:30-1:00-B. arrives and we drive to the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park, a recommendation from Awshook in my birdwatching group. The Marsh is lovely. At one end is a residential area of expensive, modular homes, with entire walls comprised of windows so the residents can see the Marsh from all angles. Living here with these views must be incredible. B. and I circle the Marsh on foot and read the various information signs about the wildlife and foliage. It’s so peaceful and we pass a few people walking along the path: a grandmother with her young grandkids; a Mom and her stroller; various dogwalkers, etc.

B. and I leave after about 2 hours at which point B. discloses to me that he did some research and discovered the Marsh is a crime-ridden area where several women have been attacked - he’s been armed the entire time. great.

1:00-3:00 -B. and I go to Finneys for lunch and I have the pork carnitas, which are amazing!!, and two glasses of champagne. B. has…something???

3:00-4:00 - We drive to my house; and

4:30-9:00 - B. and I talk politics until he leaves.

9:00-10:00 - For some reason, I’m exhausted. Long Covid? I make the executive decision to go to bed early.

10:00-11:00 - Nighttime routine. Bed.

Day 14 - Los Angeles lifts its vaccine mandate. A vax card is no longer required.

Day 15 - Los Angeles lifts its vaccine mandate. A vax card is no longer required.

Day 13 - Los Angeles lifts its vaccine mandate. A vax card is no longer required.