April 8, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. Gillian.

Right now, Gillian is at her home in Nova Scotia. She must stay home without being with anyone for 14 days from her arrival from Toronto earlier this week. She is lucky. She had been on a cruise ship that had no infections with either staff or guests. And the cruise line did everything right to unload the passengers before borders were closed. She was traveling on the Cunard Line, Queen Mary 2 and she was on a long three month journey. Her goal has been to travel all around the world but in bits and pieces. This cruise started in New York and was supposed to end in Southampton. When the ship was in the far east it was supposed to stop at many ports on the way to Australia but the Cunard officials made the decision to head directly to Australia, which they did. The passengers were not happy and according to Gill, she heard much complaining and unhappiness. The ship circled Australis, then downloaded the passengers at Fremantel and booked a plane to get the passengers to Sidney where they could get flights home. It took Gill 49 hours to get home to Toronto. She was exhausted but happy to be home. The officials in Toronto announced the rule for everyone to stay at home, started in three days. Gill lives in a lovely condo in downtown Toronto but it is 900 square feel. After a day of diddling, Gill was able to take a flight to Halifax just the day before the provincial border was closed. Mr. Gaskell took her home. Friend Karen put groceries in the fridge so she is set. She must stay by herself but she goes everyday for a long walk. The wind is blustery but the ocean is beautiful. No one is on the road. No people and no cars. But she is delighted to be there. And she is very lucky. There are people who are still on their ships. And she could have spent the next month cooped up in a little condo without the ability to walk on the streets. She is a happy camper and she knows she is fortunate too.