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| We spotted several merry-go-rounds while walking in Paris. |
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Today’s photos are from the post from August 5, 2014, while in Paris, France. See the link here for more photos.
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| To the right in this photo is the City of Architecture and Heritage. On the left is the Palais de Chaillot. |
Several readers have written inquiring why we haven’t taken advantage of a few available international flights flying out of Mumbai later this month. As it turns out, many of these flights are for repatriation purposes only, and others are flying to a few major cities in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, none of which we are interested in visiting at this time.
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| Beautiful sculptures at the City of Architecture and Heritage. |
These flights are to locations that continue to see rising numbers of cases of COVID-19, which we’re striving to avoid. We have to wait it out here to ensure we can travel to desired locations with reduced amounts of viruses and have acquired experience handling outgoing and incoming international travelers.
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| Another photo of the museum at the City of Architecture and Heritage. |
India is working diligently to ensure safe outgoing and incoming international travel. But in a few months, their systems will undoubtedly be revised to enhance the protection quality further. We’d relatively safely wait it out in the cocoon of this hotel than risk the virus in inexperienced environments.
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| This building reminded me of an area in Minneapolis, Minnesota, called “The Wedge.” |
As all of us have seen since the onset of the virus, medical professionals and organizations have revised their recommendations for safety as more and more scenarios are studied. At this point, much of the information is still up in the air.
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| We stumbled upon the famous Peninsula Hotel, where the basic room is US $1500 per night, EI $1117. |
But, so far, it appears wearing face masks, social distancing, and washing hands appear to be the universal consensus. But, what about using a restroom in an airport, let alone on an airplane on an extended or overnight flight? What safety measures will be exercised at security check-in, immigration, and while waiting in line to board the plane? What safety efforts will be enhanced as time marches on?
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| We walked down the road as we approached the Arc de Triomphe. |
How safe will it be to ride in a taxi to and from the airport? How safe is the counter at the car rental facility, let alone the rental car itself and the driver who drove the vehicle to us?
Bottom line? What will be the consequences of spending an extra few months in this hotel lockdown compared to the rest of our lives, possibly extended by staying safe, especially since I am at high risk?
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| The Arc de Triomphe was a busy location filled with cars and tourists. |
Here is information on those with high risk for COVID-19 from this site:
*People above 60 years of age with any of the following conditions:
Chronic heart disease; hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, people
undergoing dialysis, chronic liver disease
undergoing dialysis, chronic liver disease
Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), emphysema, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or severe asthma
disease (COPD), emphysema, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or severe asthma
Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron
disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability, or cerebral palsy
disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability, or cerebral palsy
Problems with spleen, such as sickle cell disease or splenectomy
Weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or
medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
People with organ transplants and remain on ongoing immunosuppression
medication
medication
People with cancer undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy, cancers of
the blood or bone marrow such as leukemia who are at any stage of treatment
the blood or bone marrow such as leukemia who are at any stage of treatment
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| Midway through our walk, we stopped for beverages. Tom had a non-specialty beer, and I had bottled water. Total cost EU 14, US $18.80 |
I have indicated in red the comorbidities that apply to me at this point, most of which are at the top of the list. Of course, we must be cautious, as would be the case with anyone over 60 years old, even without these conditions.
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| From our vantage point, we could not see the name of this church, but we were fascinated with its architecture. |
So what if we are stuck in a hotel room as long as we’re healthy? It’s certainly a lot easier than being in a hospital ICU on a respirator. I remember what that felt like only 18 months ago in ICU, unable to speak and feel as if I was choking to death. No, thank you.
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| The Flame of Liberty we passed on our walk. Behind it is the tunnel in which Princess Diana was killed on August 30, 1997. We drove through this tunnel in a taxi on our way to Le Louvre. |
Perhaps, that awful experience alone inspires me to be all the more cautious. Maybe, when my heart rate was 260 BPM, I had to be anesthetized to have my heart electrically restarted (cardioversion) to become more stable. Perhaps, when I was trapped in the recovery room, alone for hours after surgery on my infected legs, when the power went out in the hospital, and the elevator wouldn’t work to take me back to my room. It’s no wonder that I might be a little scared.
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| Many delis and bakeries line the boulevards. |
Whew! I am grateful to be alive. There is no way I’m willing to take a risk and become infected with COVID-19, whatever it takes. And, I’m grateful to Tom for understanding where I am on this. He supports me 100% but certainly wouldn’t be quite as cautious if it weren’t for me.
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| Bins of delectable appearing treats in a Middle Eastern candy shop. |
Each of us has the privilege of deciding how far we’ll go to protect ourselves and our families, within the guidelines of laws and our level of personal responsibility to those around us, in our cities, our towns, and even our backyards.
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| We visited a local market to purchase nuts for snacking. |
Be well.
Photo from one year ago today, August 5, 2019:
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| A pretty rainbow behind the Twelve Bens mountains from our holiday home in Connemara, Ireland. Please click here for more photos. |