Tuesday 31 March: I was allowed out again today and the weather was gorgeous! I had to drive to Pirongia to collect my laptop. Jane left it on the doorstep so I didn't speak to anyone. It was a delightful cross-country 50 minute drive. So nice to see so many people out and about exercising, all apparently keeping to social distancing rules. I have never seen so many people, walking, cycling or running in one day! Not too much traffic but actually more than I expected, and I think more than last week. On the way home I was pleased to see a trailer of native plants for sale on the road side so stopped and bought some. Money is paid into an honesty box but I never use cash now, haven't done since Christmas, so I dropped a note in with my phone number asking for a bank account number! Another guy stopped but we kept away from each other. I wondered if the plant sale was allowed but police drove past when we were talking and did not stop so I guess it was OK. Actually there were a lot of police around come to think of it.
Eric had to take Otto to the vet. He (Otto not Eric) has a recurrent ear infection and they wanted to do some more investigations before treating him this time. Otto is a cash cow for our vets! He was diagnosed with Addison's disease a few months ago after nearly dying from an electrolyte imbalance. His pituitary gland does not stimulate the body's natural steroid production so his life now depends on twice daily replacements. Diagnosis, several nights in, IV fluids etc and a damaged nail requiring surgery notched up a bill of several thousand dollars and now he seems to continue to feed the vets coffers! No-one is allowed in the vets so he was deposited and collected later. Eric got two trips out today :-)
The new Covid-19 testing station in Matamata is right near the vets and Eric said there was quite a queue of cars waiting. Needless to say the local Facebook chat is filled with concerns and people demanding we all be tested. Makes me cross really. It should not make any difference to the way we behave. Aren't we supposed to stay at home and if out, treat everyone as if they were infectious? I guess if you know you are infected you would not come out - I hope.
Once I got home, I spent some time getting orientated to the new computer software I will need to use then finished work and headed outside. I planted my mornings purchases on the berm we created two years ago. Last years plantings of around 100 trees and plants are looking strong and healthy, despite the drought. I was then off to the potting shed to sow rocket and lettuce. It was bl**dy hot!
When we went for our 5pm walk my crutch was missing from the back of the Jeep. Eric had removed it when he transported Otto in the morning. I had to use a walking stick which was quite a struggle but I soldiered on bravely!!
As of 9am today: New cases 58. Recovered 74. Total 647. Deaths 1. Total tests: 21,384
Matamata cluster 11 new cases, total 28.
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