7 May 2020 Update from A Locked Down Ghent

The security council announced yesterday that the number of people with coronavirus in hospital has fallen under 3,000. Although yesterday’s figure rose slightly, probably due to the weekend reporting, the leading virologists expect this figure to continue to fall in the coming days. Additional good news was that Sophie Wilmès, our prime minister, confirmed at a press conference that shops reopen on 11 May. She also announced some relaxation of restrictions governing our social life: starting next Sunday every household may host visits by four different people, but these must always be the same four people. A rule that is a little complex and very hard to control but nevertheless we’re welcoming the message with open arms. All good news that triggered me to share an upbeat picture from one of the many beautiful artworks that appeared on windows across the city in the last couple of weeks – Sassekaai, Ghent, Belgium