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Coronaviruses have caused two large-scale pandemics in the past two decades, SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Today we are struggling with COVID-19. Typical clinical symptoms are fever, dry cough, breathing difficulties (dyspnoea), headache etc. We have lived with the virus and the disease for months and we are becoming adapted to the situation. It is important though to not relax. To not touch the face, wash your hands and so on. Stay at home if you are sick. In conclusion, to adapt is to survive.

There is not much to do but to follow the guidelines from health authorities. Today I remembered the outbreak of SARS in 2003, and at that time I studied pharmacology. I remember that I didn’t pay much attention to the virus and I thought that it was far away. However, I do clearly remember a black face mask where SARS was written with white capital letters.

There are no good pharmacological tools available today to treat COVID-19. I searched some literature from that time about SARS, and found very little on active antiviral compounds. I found a publication on liquorice root. Countries producing liquorice include India 🇮🇳, Iran 🇮🇷, Italy 🇮🇹, Afghanistan 🇦🇫, the People’s Republic of China 🇨🇳, Pakistan 🇵🇰, Iraq 🇮🇶, Azerbaijan 🇦🇿, Uzbekistan 🇺🇿, Turkmenistan 🇹🇲 and Turkey 🇹🇷. Much of the sweetness in liquorice comes from glycyrrhizin. It is well known that excessive consumption of liquorice can cause increased blood pressure. Interestingly, glycyrrhizin from liquorice root has been suggested to be useful in the treatment of SARS. I found a study, but no repeated study or continued research. It should be noted that this is an in vitro study with Vero cells from African green monkeys. Inhibition of virus replication was demonstrated, but as usually, in vivo is much more complicated. Curiously, you can browse this publication: Glycyrrhizin in liquorice root

The Covid-19 is global and a lot of people are affected. I always try to put things in a perspective, and this evening I browsed the internet for something demonstrating this. Conflicts in various countries such as Syria continues, and on top of this, they now have to struggle with the Corona virus. This film is not from Syria, but from a food market in Africa where there is no social distancing. Moreover, possibilities for hand washing are limited. The Red Cross does a great job and they have head quarters in many countries. A lot of people are worried, and if you feel worried, do not hesitate to call your Red Cross in your country for a chat.

Röda Korsets stödtelefon är öppen mån-fre kl 12-16. Där får du prata med personer som har förståelse för den nya, tuffa vardagen. Ring 0771-900 800 eller besök www.rodakorset.se för mer information.

International Committee of the Red Cross:   www.icrc.org

The Corona virus is present and we have to be careful. It is very important not to relax. Social distancing is critical because the coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets – packed with the virus – into the air.

What is a ‘reasonable excuse’ to go out?

• Exercise – alone, or with members of your household
• Shopping for basic necessities
• Any medical need, or providing care for a vulnerable person
• Travel to or from work, but only when you cannot work from home

(BBC News)

Grocery shopping

When grocery shopping, keep at least 1-metre distance from others and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. If possible, sanitize the handles of shopping trolleys or baskets before shopping. Once home, wash your hands thoroughly and also after handling and storing your purchased products. There is currently no confirmed case of COVID-19 transmitted through food or food packaging.

(WHO)

These are just reminders. To stay in good spirit I exercise by walking and sometimes run. Social distancing is terrible but necessary.

I will stay at home this summer. There is an expression in Swedish “gilla läget”, and that is exactly what I am doing. Sometimes, life cannot be planned. “Gilla läget” can more or less be translated to acceptance of here and now. There is not much you can do about Covid-19. Only a vaccin could change, but that takes time.

Last summer I was in Rome. I have an Italian penpal, and she sent me some suggestions of Italian music. She likes dogs as well and has Jack Russell terriers. I think most of us have now learnt to live with the virus, and we need some cheering up. I do not understand Italian, but this is a nice song. A song that everybody understands even thought you don’t understand the language. Language of music is universal.

First of May is a globally celebrated day but cancelled today. Yesterday, Valborg, was also cancelled. It will take time til Covid-19 is eradicated, and it seems like most of us have accepted the virus. The political consequences are marked, and commerce has definitely been disrupted. Similar to the plague époques when the house of Habsburgs reigned and the Huguenot rebellions fought for their territory.

It is rainy and I am lazy. I miss sweetie and cutie. If I had been in the countryside I had already been running and walking.

I got the question today why we celebrate Valborg. “It must be something religious”, I said without thinking, “but I don’t know what”. I explained what Valborg and May means to me. It is a celebration to spring and arriving summer. Winter has passed and a lot of twigs and leaves need to be taken care of by having a fire in the evening of the 30th of April. Every year. With a lot of choir music by the fire. I liked those evenings and I remember that the dogs got very scared when the evening ended with fireworks. When I lived in Norway Sankthans was similar to our Valborg. But that was at midsummer. Different countries and different traditions.

Covid-19 is getting closer. A lot of people are affected. My true heroes these times are those working in food stores. Helping me to put food on the table. I read that the Corona virus outbreak emerged from a food market in Wuhan in China 🇨🇳. If this is true or fake news, I don’t know. One thing that is true is that the Corona virus is putting weight on us since we do not exercise as usually. I got muscle pain from my last run, and tomorrow will be a challenge. Eight kilometers to go. “Tjejmilen” in August.

Writing has for many years been my interest when not working. It is part of my daily life. Something I cannot live without. If I don’t write, I think of writing. A few days ago Sweden lost a very skilled author namely PO Enquist. He is a great loss within literature and drama.

Time is precious. I would like to have more time so I could read more. Not only write. Currently, life is very much focused on Covid-19, and it has to be since the virus is dangerous. To not relax. Continue to pay attention. And encourage people surrounding you with a “Bravo” so you can cope more easily with the virus on a convenient distance.

I am now about to learn more about Italian music and I will in time share some. Take care.