I'm on the band wagon of being over COVID-19. However, it's here and never going away so we have to make the best of functioning in new ways. Masks are now a new fashion statement and staple of one's wardrobe, at least in Belize as they are mandatory. So it comes down to are you a disposable mask wearer, cloth mask with two ties or elastic loops, bandana mask, or maybe a gaiter? Choosing the type of mask to wear when I step off my property is not something I ever expected to do in my lifetime!
Throughout June 2020, Belize has slowly changed the restrictions within the State of Emergency. For example, daycares and schools are still closed but gatherings up to 100 people can occur, bands can play, non-competition sports can resume, and local tourism is encouraged. Social distancing and masks are a new norm, and the curfew orders have been extended but still in place. Belizean's are repatriating more, and they must quarantine at a designated location (hotel in Belize City) at their own expense. Some of the repatriates are importing the virus yet, it's controlled in the quarantine hotel. That appears to be a good way to stop the spread throughout the country, but a new fear is occurring. There have been some illegal border entries who get detained and sent to another facility. These persons have been testing positive for the virus, and then a number of them are escaping. Where are they going? How many people are they coming in contact with? How fast will they spread the virus? That's a real concern.
Local Tourism
I have made some wonderful friends this month and have been enjoying some of the local tourism, along with eating out at more restaurants that are reopening. I've had the pleasure of sailing on two different type of catamarans and snorkeling off local Caye's. I attended a birthday party on a private Caye where we had a great BBQ lunch, swam, socialized, and I tried stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) for the first time! Other people in the group snorkeled and kayaked around the island.
Lobster Season
June 15, 2020 marked the start of lobster season and I was super excited!! One of my first lobster meals was at Dawn's Grill and OMG was it delicious. I had two grilled lobster tails with a baked potato and small side salad. The lobster meat was the best! A fellow grill master in the village hosted a Father's Day Lobster Fiesta with the largest lobster's I've ever seen. I even got to pick out my own lobster to devour. Delicious and fun.
COVID Invading my Family
Father's Day, although fun and filled with lots of great food, also brought some gut-wrenching news that rocked my core. I found out two of my immediate family members have been sick for a few weeks, one getting very ill, and passing it onto the other. From the little that I know, the first believes they caught the virus at church, as the priest and choir director apparently have been diagnosed, and then passed it to the other. At this time I don't have many details or a validation on their test results, since communication can be tough between time zones, connectivity, and everyone's availability...plus it doesn't help if certain members are stubborn Baby-Boomer's who don't want to "worry" their family. For now, I pray they can fight through this, that they won't need hospital care, and will have a full recovery. It's humbling to have no control or ability to take away someone's pain or illness.
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