Journal Entry Five

12. März 2020

I cannot even express what the last 48 hours have been like. It is almost midnight, and I am still trying to grasp the changes that are happening virtually by the minute.

Yesterday, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 is a global pandemic. Italy announced tonight that the virus had killed 1016 people, a 23% increase from yesterday’s numbers.

This evening, President Trump announced the suspension of all travel from Europe to the U.S. I do not know how that will affect our embassy staff in Washington D.C., or our consulates in Chicago and Seattle. I have not had the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Northcott regarding these developments.

Today, Northcott’s office announced the confirmation of 253 cases of COVID-19 in Dorstenland. I must be honest; I am anxious about how fast this virus is spreading. References to the Spanish Flu appear all over the newscasts.

I could probably spend hours journaling about the virus’s fluid situation; however, I do want to jot down some of today’s events for my reference.

• Chancellor Merkel banned the gatherings of more than 1000 people in Deutschland. As of today, there are a total of 121 persons infected in the country. Yesterday it was 83.
• Ireland announced the closure of all schools starting this Thursday, but Northern Ireland schools will remain open.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went into self-isolation due to his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, having a slight fever and flu-like symptoms.
• Norway announced an almost complete lockdown of the country. The lockdown includes the closure of all schools, gyms, museums, and sporting events.

I do want to acknowledge my feelings after today’s meeting with Jonas. The King asked me to cancel his visit to Yekaterinburg, Russia, officially. It was with great sorrow that I had to notify President Putin, through the Russian Embassy in Eberbach, of the trip’s cancellation. For years, I have wanted to visit the area of the brutal execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, however, I never had the opportunity.

Prime Minister Hans Northcott notified the palace that he has called a press conference for tomorrow morning regarding COVID-19.  The prime minister did not return my calls, inquiring about what his announcement will entail. I think that it is safe to say that all eyes are on the status of the election which takes place in just five days.