Lockdown Day 97

I’ve been thinking all day about what to name this post, or what kind of theme or subject to give it, or whatever.

But today is Day 97 of the lockdown, which means it’s been 100 days since I started this Lockdown Journal. (I started the journal three days before the lockdown started.) I just counted up all my posts and I’ve blogged on 88 out of the past 100 days. (I took weekends off after Day 50.)

It’s officially too much now so today’s post just has a number, not a name.

Melville beetle 2012
On a positive note, I found some photos of a really cool beetle in my old Melville back yard, taken in 2012. I’ve never seen a beetle like this before or since.

South Africa had nearly 7000 new COVID cases yesterday, nearly 3000 of which were in Gauteng province. Joburg is becoming the country’s new coronavirus epicentre. South Africa’s health system is crawling toward a breaking point – there aren’t enough oxygen tanks or ambulances. I don’t personally know anyone who has been sick enough to be hospitalized, but my Facebook feed has progressively more posts about friends of friends who have died.

There is talk of a possible return to Level 5 lockdown. I’m hesitant to admit this, but I actually don’t think that sounds like a totally unreasonable idea.

I’m struggling to think any positive thoughts today. I am not feeling creative or inspired. I don’t want to go anywhere or see anyone. I don’t see the point of anything. I’m just empty.

The beetle again.

I had planned to cook something interesting tonight. But instead I think I’ll eat a bowl of roasted vegetables, crawl under my pile of Basotho blankets, watch Netflix, and knit.

Sorry. This is certainly the lamest of my 88 Lockdown Journal posts thus far. But we’ve got three days to go until Lockdown Day 100, and I’m going do my best to deliver something worthwhile on each of those days. Then I’m going to take a blogging holiday.

Beetle on chair

Good night.