Today is Monday, the 16th of March, 2020 and things are changing here, in Portugal as they are everywhere. Since Saturday, 76 additional cases of the coronavirus have be recorded here bringing the total number of recorded cases to 245.

The Portuguese government is taking active measures to slow the spread by suspending the operations of nightclubs and bars and visits to nursing homes. In addition, access to shopping malls has been limited as well as access to supermarkets.

Yesterday, we went to a pharmacy. There was a short lineup for access with customers outside the pharmacy standing two metres apart from one another. At each of the two doors was a pharmacist or pharmacy technician standing behind a table. About one metre in front of the table, on the floor was a line of red tape behind which customers were to stand. No customers were allowed to enter.

After asking the pharmacist, we waited briefly while he went and got us [the equivalent of] Neocitran. Those waiting for prescriptions were asked to step away from the doors and were beckoned back when their prescriptions had been filled.

There was no sense of alarm. Everything progressed in a smooth and orderly way. In spite of this, it was rather surreal.

While I was reading this morning's Globe and Mail, I happened to come across the following article in the Business Section.

Now that is surreal!

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