For Those Who Asked
Dateline: Paris. Against the backdrop — and in spite of — COVID, spring has arrived, inspiring thoughts of the future.
I have spent four months — to the day — experiencing the pandemic in Paris. Everyone at home asks, “How is it?”
December 31, 2020, at 11:50 pm, I take a half-block walk with my partner and dog to the Champs de Mars where we watch the Eiffel Tower’s year-end light show. Since then, I have been home every night by six pm–now seven, thanks to daylight savings.
At this writing, only 6.8% of the French are fully vaccinated. In the U.S., it’s 26%; in Israel–the frontrunner–it’s 56%. In the UK, where about half the population has had a first “jab,” some scientists predict that country is “close” to herd immunity. Whatever that means…
The only thing I know for sure is that every day we seem to be moving a little closer to a time we might call “post-pandemic.” No one knows when or what our “after” might look like, but that doesn’t stop us from speculating.
It will get better.
But not anytime soon.
I can shop for food, take out or order in.
But cafes and restaurants are closed.
We socialize on foot.
Drink morning coffee standing on a street corner.
Parks are open; museum gardens are closed.
I can’t buy socks or shoes in person; I can’t buy clothing.
No neighborhood boutiques, no department stores.
But this being France, hairdressers and dog groomers are still open.
It is what it is. It will get better.
But not anytime soon.
They might reopen cafes and restaurants mid-May.
“With restrictions,” my French friend Françoise believes–and that’s good enough for me.
But I wonder what “restrictions” might that look like.
In New York, restaurants use fewer tables and space them six feet apart.
It’s a lot harder to imagine bistros and cafes at 25% occupancy.
In a city where diners sit close enough to eat off each other’s plates.
It will get better.
But not anytime soon.
People are starting to have vaccinations here.
When I signed up in late February, you had to be over 75.
And I had to wait two months for my first.
Now fortysomethings can make appointments.
As more people are vaccinated, we can go beyond our pods.
We can “entertain” — have people for drinks or dinner.
We can talk without masks, see mouths moving.
Eventually, we will go to parties, eat in a restaurant.
Eventually, we will sit in an audience, travel.
Eventually, we will almost never wear masks.
Eventually. It will get better.
But not just yet.
Someday, we’ll use the phrase “during COVID” to describe
An unexpected, difficult, and, for some, tragic time in living history.
“The Pandemic of 2020” will be a chapter (following “The Trump Era”) in a grandchild’s history text.
Someday, I will appreciate the security and calm of a Paris curfew (sometimes, I already do).
I will remember this Paris — a city suddenly without its 20 million tourists —
Emptier still because so many of the bourgeoisie feel safer in their country homes…for now.
Someday. It will get better.
But not just yet.
###
As Peanuts said once ” I used to take life one day at a time, now I am down to half a day” …
… enjoying Paris in Spring and her beautiful parks. Nature shows us the strength of life and teaches us patience. It will get better for sure … sooner or later …
I love Peanuts! Never heard that one. Thank you for reading, my French friend Francoise
It is getting better in Port St. Lucie, FL. Restaurants are open, sidewalk art shows are taking place, grocery stores are open. That being said, everyone wears a mask until seated at a table and they do socially distance themselves. All my friends and family have received both doses of the vaccine. Several family members have contracted the disease but it has been a mild case with no complications. I don’t think what we considered normal before will ever return in its entirety but maybe we all did need a new normal. I am hoping for better times real soon for all.
The US is light years ahead of France. Glad you’re more relaxed. Thanks for reading
You are so right. The security and calm of the curfew is an unspoken feeling. It keeps life structured. We know we have to be home at a certain time .I am sure I will miss it.
Thanks for the confirmation – and the comment.
I am in Florida visiting my daughter and son-in-law. This trip seems so special in so many ways. For me, it signals a new beginning. I am grateful. I came back from my son’s home which is in LA three weeks ago. At that point in time, I felt like I had taken my first steps towards some sort of normalcy.. This trip I was able to hug and kiss girlfriends I hadn’t seen in so long it hurt…. I can’t wait to be able to embrace those family and friends I haven’t been able to be with physically. It’s not done with us yet. Soon….
As they say, from your mouth to God’s ears. I can’t wait to return to the U. S. in June (for summer vacation plans). There’s nothing comparable there to Paris’s beauty but I know I’ll feel freer than I do here. Oh, to hug a grandchild or a girlfriend!
Great writing as usual. I miss coming to Paris. I have a ticket form mid June but might have to cancel.
And I miss having you here, even though I knew that my French was painful for you to hear! And wouldn’t you know: I’m coming home in mid-June. Very happy to get out of here because I don’t have a good feeling for Paris opening up. I can’t imagine them social distancing, and then there are the variants. Francoise tells me the one from India is now threatening Europe. It’s already in the U. K. I assume that’s why you say, “might have to cancel.”
I enjoyed reading your description of covid Paris! I love Paris so and had plans this year to visit, but. . .in any event your portrayal of the cafes and how close we used to sit next to each other — close enough you could actually dine off your neighbor’s plate — was quite real.
Kathy, welcome. I hope you’ll tool around the site, read more, and — please! — keep coming back because you make good comments. I love being read — and the feedback, for better or worse!
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Melancholy is the word that comes to mind as I read this. What seemed so promising lies unfulfilled. But I laughed when you said that it being Paris, dog groomers and hair salons were opened. This being Florida, pro wrestling is considered essential. We muddle through. I’m not sure when I won’t want to have a mask at least handy. Stay well and look forward to ocean air.
Boy! Do I look forward to ocean air! Soooooo much! BTW, this piece is now on Medium, if you’re so inclined!
Great read and beautiful photographs. I love Paris and hope one day to visit but don’t think it will be anytime soon.
You snd Lorena will forever remember these months in lockdown in Paris.
Thank, Maureen. I hope you make it back while I’m still here! LOL
A glimpse into your life. WOW, I knew that there was a curfew, but didn’t know that there were so few places open right now! Beautifully written. Best to you both!
Thank you — and glad you liked the piece. Please subscribe — you’ll have many “glimpses.”