The Year The World Shut Down | Angela Neal Grove

Cherry trees and azaleas blooming in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, March 2021. In Japan cherry blossoms, Sakura, are synonymous with Spring and a time of renewal. They are also symbolic of the fleeting nature of life since blossoms last only two weeks. In 2020 all Cherry Blossom festivals were cancelled. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Cherry trees and azaleas blooming in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, March 2021. In Japan cherry blossoms, Sakura, are synonymous with Spring and a time of renewal. They are also symbolic of the fleeting nature of life since blossoms last only two weeks. In 2020 all Cherry Blossom festivals were cancelled.

A year ago the world shut down. A year ago our lives changed. A year ago streets were silent and city centers deserted. There was no laughter in playgrounds or schools. Children stayed home. There was fear. A virulent virus, perhaps caused by bats or pangolins in a distant Chinese wet market overtook the world.

Covid-19, like the Plague, Black death and Spanish ‘flu pandemics, will take its place in history books. It will be studied and analyzed. We survivors will be quizzed on our recollections. What did the year the world shut down look like? What was it like?

March 9, 2020 the Grand Princess cruise ship sails into San Francisco Bay to dock at the Port of Oakland. There were cases of the Covid-19 virus on board. After the first confirmed death on March 4 the ship was rerouted and anchored offshore awaiting PPE and test kits to be airlifted. There were 2422 passengers and 1,111 crew on board. On arrival many were quarantined at Travis Air Air Force Base north of San Francisco. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — March 9, 2020 the Grand Princess cruise ship sails into San Francisco Bay to dock at the Port of Oakland. There were cases of the Covid-19 virus on board. After the first confirmed death on March 4 the ship was rerouted and anchored offshore awaiting PPE and test kits to be airlifted. There were 2422 passengers and 1,111 crew on board. On arrival many were quarantined at Travis Air Air Force Base north of San Francisco.

Lockdown in San Francisco

In San Francisco lockdown came at midnight, March 17, 2020. San Francisco led the way. It was the first city in the US to lockdown. Then there were 5,000 cases and 100 deaths recorded in the US from Covid-19.

On that day after St. Patricks Day revelry, seven million residents of the Bay Area Counties were required to immediately shelter in place. Offices were evacuated, Tech behemoths, Apple, Facebook, Google and Twitter closed their doors. The cable cars stopped, their clanging bells silent. Streets, freeways and airports emptied.

Two days after lockdown in San Francisco, restaurants and shops began to board up our lives were changed.PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Two days after lockdown in San Francisco, restaurants and shops boarded up, our lives changed.

Just a Question of Time…

The lockdown was not unexpected. There was news of clusters of Covid-19 cases in some US cities like Seattle. On March 12 Italy shut down recording 12,462 cases and 827 deaths. Shops and schools closed as hospitals struggled. News from Rome showed surreal images of Italians singing opera to each other on their own balconies.

Across the US there was a last-minute dash to big box stores. Scuffles broke out at Costco, as customers negotiated carts toppling with toilet paper. Tempers frayed.

During Lockdown San Francisco International Airport was deserted. Except for the odd coyote on runways. Projections are that airlines and the travel industry will not return to "normal" until 2024.PHOTO;//ANGROVE — During Lockdown San Francisco International Airport was deserted except for the odd coyote loping across runways. Projections are that airlines and the travel industry will not return to “normal” until 2024.

Survival Mode

In San Francisco we went into survival mode overnight. What was in the freezer? Hidden away on garage shelves or unused in earthquake kits?

As grocery store shelves emptied access to markets was restricted. Retail shops and restaurants boarded up. There were rumors of empty ATM’s and gas pumps closing. We were in survival mode.

Park police ensuring mothers and children socially distance on the beach in San Francisco. Parking lots were closed. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Park police ensured mothers and children socially distanced on the beach in San Francisco. Parking lots were closed

Life Under Lockdown

So what was it like the year the world shut down?

In San Francisco we were allowed leave homes to exercise, properly masked and socially distanced. So we began to explore our city. We walked through new neighborhoods. Spring flowers were coming out. We had time to stop and smell the roses. There was no commute traffic, no planes overhead. It was quiet. We could hear birdsong.

Across the city a web of streets closed to traffic, called slow streets they were a place to wander peacefully. Garages and doorsteps were hubs where we could visit carefully and distancing. We could not hug.

San Francisco's Presidio Golf Course was closed to golfers. It was discovered by families who strolled the scenic fairways and picniced on the grass while children discovered a new beach in the sand traps. It was a favorite during lockdown. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — San Francisco’s Presidio Golf Course was closed to golfers. It was discovered by families who strolled the scenic fairways and picniced on the grass. Children discovered a new beach in the sand traps. It was a favorite during lockdown.

Time to Cook the Year the World Shut Down

Groceries and necessities had to be delivered. There were You Tube videos on how to sanitize purchases. Packages were left for days in hallways to make sure no Coronavirus hitched a ride on cardboard wrapping. The Nightly news got worse. Scenes from Europe and New York were devastating. We were scared.

We began cooking. There was something nurturing about kneading and baking bread. But then came shortages of flour and pasta. Even Amazon was out of basic elbows for Mac and Cheese. We networked to find out delivery dates, then found items were rationed.

Celebrating a birthday, socially distanced outside Peets coffee shop. We could not hug, we could not gather or visit, but somehow we found a way to have fun amid the gathering gloom. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Celebrating a birthday, socially distanced outside Peets coffee shop. We could not hug, we could not gather or visit, but somehow we found a way to have fun amid the gathering gloom.

You’re On Mute

As millions around the world stayed home the internet became a lifeline. Zoom, rose to the top of the video conferencing services. In March daily users spiked to 200 million from 10 million the previous December. For meetings, doctor visits, club events, book groups, orchestras and of course families. Screens with checkerboards of faces became the way to go. In 2020 thousands of Birthdays were celebrated on Zoom. To Zoom became the new verb.

Tutorials on how to look professional (from the waist up), edit backgrounds, as well as basic functioning proliferated. Who wanted to give a profound well rehearsed comment, or punchline to a joke only to be told, “You’re on Mute!”

Children painted posters and hung them on a tree by a trail in San Francisco's Presidio. When would the sun come out again? PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Children painted posters and hung them on a tree by a trail in San Francisco’s Presidio. When would the sun come out again?

The Planet Began to Breath

Among the devastating news as Covid-19 spread death across our world, and seering nightly images of ambulances with screaming sirens, came word that skies had cleared. Beijing, London, Tokyo, Paris and New York all reported clear skies and outstanding air quality. Maps and charts showed how the lack of pollution from cars, planes and factories benefitted the planet.

About this time came images of wild animals taking back their world. Coyotes trotted the shoreline under the Golden Gate Bridge, Kangaroos hopped deserted streets in Australia, elephants took to the empty streets in India. There are many videos of these creatures on YouTube. Look for “Animals reclaiming the World”. Many went viral during lockdown.

With restaurants closed picnicking became the way to go in San Francisco. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — With restaurants closed picnicking became the way to go in San Francisco.

Would There Ever be a Vaccine?

With lives so radically changed and Covid-19 surging around the world the constant hope was for a vaccine. When? How? Could it be done? After all there was no vaccine for AIDS after all these years.

However scientists around the world were already working on a vaccine. Using AI they used inexpensive and rapid implementation of data to identify patterns. Incredibly, on December 8 a grandmother in the UK was the first person to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 jab. Within 12 months of the virus being identified 21st century science had created an antidote.

Restaurants have built out onto sidewalks to enable social distancing and fresh air. Restaurants in San Francisco's Northbeach now have a very European vibe with live music. Many hope this al fresco dining will remain post Covid-19. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Restaurants have built out onto sidewalks to enable social distancing and fresh air. Restaurants in San Francisco’s Northbeach now have a very European vibe with live music. Many hope this al fresco dining will remain post Covid-19

Not The End of the Story. Much Has Changed

Even with the vaccine available, as I write Covid continues to surge and kill around the world. Vaccines must be available to all. It must reach those in remote regions of the globe. New variants are mutating. We may need an annual jab as for the ‘flu. This is not the end of the story but maybe the beginning of taming the beast.

And how have we changed? Our working lives? Our city centers and malls? In San Francisco we are adapting. Restaurants have built out onto sidewalks. Close your eyes in the Italian area of North Beach and you could be in Italy. There is live music and a whole new outdoor vibe. San Francisco is good at reinventing itself, after the gold rush, after the earthquake and fire, after the dotcom bust, and after Covid.

Small alleys have been converted and decorated with strings of lights and bunting to accommodate al fresco diners. Heat lamps keep everyone cozy when San Francisco's fog rolls in. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Small alleys have been converted and decorated with strings of lights and bunting to accommodate al fresco diners. Heat lamps keep everyone cozy when San Francisco’s fog rolls in.

Realtor Joel Goodrich recently interviewed by the New York Times, Financial Times and others, says San Francisco is on a roll. That is encouraging news but we know it will be changed. Psychologists talk about fear of re-entry as we return to normal activities. For children perhaps the changes are overwhelming.

Hope for Renewal and Looking Forward

I began this piece with an image of cherry blossoms in Golden Gate Park. Called Sakura they are a symbol of renewal in Japanese culture. They are also a reminder that life is fragile and fleeting. In 2020 all cherry blossom festivals were cancelled. As I write this spring the trees are in full bloom and beginning to scatter their pale pink petals on sidewalks and gardens. Confetti as we look forward. Confetti for renewal.