23 May 2020 Update from A Semi-Locked Down Ghent

Yesterday’s corona statistics remained positive: fewer deaths and fewer patients in hospital. The number of new infections showed a slight increase though: 276 cases were reported, which is 24 up versus the previous day. According to the experts that trend needs to be monitored but is nothing to be worried about. I’m holding my breath…Yesterday it was also announced that kindergartens can reopen and that all pupils can return to primary school as of 2 June. As for secondary education, almost all pupils could return as from that day as well, but with more restrictions and a smaller time frame each week. Also, if there is no new wave of corona infections, we will be able to travel abroad again by mid-June. Funny enough the local press did not report on the economic fallout of the crisis for the last couple of days… I guess that shoe will drop once the deconfinement dust settles. Anyway, let’s cherish the moment with an upbeat window drawing that I spotted a couple of days ago – Meulestedesteenweg, Ghent, Belgium