4 April 2021: Belgium’s proud will take place today despite worrying corona statistics…

4 April 2021: During the week from 25 to 31 March an average of 4,577 people tested positive forSARCoV-2. The figure is down 1% on the week. Less encouraging is that for the first time in four months the number of people being treated in a Belgian hospital for Covid has exceeded 3,000 and the number of patients in critical care has risen above 800. Thus far, only 1,404,877 people received their first shot of the corona vaccine.  546,555 people have had their second jab. From 6 April a central list for reserve candidates will be introduced. People who subscribed to the list will be contacted if any doses of the vaccine need to be used up urgently e.g. because of no-shows. The list has been introduced to avoid wasting valuable vaccines. Despite that the corona statistics are doing far from good and we’re muddling through vaccination, the 105th edition of the Tour of Flanders will take place today after being shifted to the end of the season in 2020 due to the corona crisis. It will feature the same iconic hills and the same legendary stretches of cobblestones. But since fans will be banned to watch Belgium’s iconic bicycle race from the roadside, I’m wondering if it will it feature the same passion? We went for a hike in the Flemish Ardennes yesterday to take a sneak preview of the trail and, believe it or not, we spotted the first cycling fanatic: a zebra… Happy Easter!