From epidemic to pandemic. I am sure that we will encounter new viruses in the future. Definitely. The season flue is already established. It is easy to forget the existence of the Corona virus, and people are getting more relaxed. Maybe because it is warmer and brighter. But I am not. I am still very careful, and I have to remind myself continuously. I hope that we will learn from this and bring some of our routines to the future.

“Our brains, our muscles – every cell in our body – require energy to function in its optimal state”

I have started with jogging again. There are signs reminding of keeping distance while jogging. I would like to go for ordinary training, but that has to wait for a while. I miss spinning. What makes me feel good is that there is some kind of stability. A lot of safety precautions are being taken during these days with Covid-19. Borders are closed. Trade is reduced. Etc etc. But, importantly, there is both European and global stability.

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.