COVID-19 - Fourth update - And now Dengue!

Hello from the well-prepared ThaiSmiths.

So far I have used bleach to clean a plastic tea strainer and our coffee cups.
Darrel used it on a stain on one of his white shirts.

March 26

We have received a few phone calls from Dewa Staff (one of them unfortunately now out-of-work) inquiring about our welfare. It is so comforting to know that our Thai friends are watching out for us. We feel very safe and secure here, but it is still very touching to know that people nearby are paying attention to us.

We are trying our best to play our part. When we told our market vendors that we wouldn’t see them for at least a month, we left each of them a small packet of money to help them through the tough times. We still see our laundry lady regularly, but last visit Darrel gave her extra payment because her business has been reduced considerably with the hotels closing down. Our street-side vendors are still doing well, but we are ready to help them out a little too. The Thai government, like governments all over the world, has announced a stimulus package and has increased social program spending. But, still, we have a number of friends who will need a little extra help. We can’t do much, but we also know that every little bit helps.

On March 25, we were missing our interactions with the Dewa crew so Darrel popped over to the Tesco mini-mart (with his mask on) and bought up their supply of ice cream cups. Then he and I (with our masks on) distributed them to all the Dewa staff we could find: the guards at our two entrances, a couple of gardeners, a number of the house-keeping staff, a bartender, a large group of restaurant staff (who pointed out that the cups didn’t come with spoons!), and a gathering of staff at the front desk. It was such a good excuse to get out and see them all again – with proper social distancing – so we will likely do it again soon. Maybe it’ll be juice boxes next time – no spoons required.

We had a few flavors. Chocolate was the most popular.

Today, a staff member returned our freezer bag that we had left behind with the surplus treats, and I hung it in the sun to disinfect then I thoroughly washed my hands. Yes, we are taking this seriously.

We are fighting another battle – with the heat. On March 26 our indoor thermometer read 34°. Our practice is to turn on the air conditioner when we reach an indoor reading of 32° so, yes, we are using the air conditioner more than usual. There have been a few mornings when, at 5 a.m., it was 30° outside. We are definitely looking forward to the monsoon season and cloudy weather.

I have this in the kitchen.
It helps with decision-making.

March 27

We received some alarming news. A dear friend was hospitalized for dengue fever. We talked to her husband who was also complaining about how he felt.

March 28

We received more alarming news. Our other dear friend, the husband, ended up in the hospital to receive treatment for dengue fever. Darrel called him on the phone but our friend was so ill and exhausted that it was difficult to talk. We cannot go to the hospital to visit our friends, of course. The timing is extremely unfortunate.

So we are being careful to avoid the coronavirus, and are also thankful that we have been avoiding the dengue virus for years. The Dewa fogs for mosquitoes weekly and we have screens for both our doors. Living on the fourth floor also helps. We do not yet feel overwhelmed with the risks that surround us, but still, sometimes, we can’t help but say Dammit!

Our province of Phuket has imposed a curfew between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. This was widely advertised and hotels posted notices for those tourists who don’t pay attention to news. We will have no problem obeying the curfew because we seldom go out at night, except to our roof-top terrace to admire the night sky and eat our handful of pistachio nuts (which contain melatonin and other nutrients that reportedly help us sleep).

March 29

Phuket has closed massage shops, beaches, zoos, walking street and other public places. The borders are effectively closed, with many flights cancelled and our bridge to the next province closed down. Darrel and I are happy that we can still go for our morning bike rides. For now. We can still get deliveries from local restaurants, (delivered to the parking garage) so we decided to treat ourselves and ordered in lamb burgers. They were very very good.

Sarasin bridge - bird's eye view.

Sarasin Bridge - new beside the old.

March 30

This seemed like a normal day – well, except for the face mask. Darrel went out to pick up laundry, drop off a gift at a friend’s place, buy an inner tube for his bike, and pick up a few groceries – all the while practicing social distancing. Tesco mini-mart wouldn’t let him in until they took his temperature. They did allow him to use his own grocery bag. They would allow only 15 people into the store at one time. Once home, there was a lot of hand-washing. Bags were put out in the sun to disinfect.

We’ve had a discussion about meals and how we can continue to support our little community, and we have decided to order-in or pick-up four times per week. I think I can handle home-cooking three times per week.

This is our “new normal”. We sincerely hope all of you are able to settle into your new normal.

A victim of the shutdowns - a beach shop at the Dewa.

That’s it for now. Take care. Loretta & Darrel.