From: Maggie Thompson
Date: 15 April 2020 at 21:59:55 GMT+4
Subject: Love from BC
Dear Friends,
Isn’t it wonderful to know we’re thinking of each other during this time - how cool is that? Julie, you are amazing and an inspiration, your bags, each with their own unique heart, are a perfect metaphor for this crazy Corona Virus Era. Thanks to others too for their messages and to you George for your efforts to keep us connected.
Here in British Columbia (pop 5.1m) we have had 1517 positive cases with 69 deaths. We lived through the SARS epidemic in 2003 and we seem to have learned from that. Overall Canada has a 2.4% mortality rate compared to the UK’ 12.8% and Belgiums’s 13.4% Ireland, with a pop of 4.8m has 11,407 cases and 406 deaths. I also track New Zealand where my younger sister lives. They have a population of 4.7m with 1386 positive cases and 9 deaths so far. While imperfect we have years of learning from all the data being collected and I trust we will continue on the trajectory of making Health Care a Human Right.
Last year I was diagnosed with an motor neurone condition which is being treated with immune suppressants, so I’m in a vulnerable group. Its hard for me not to run around helping others as I usually would, so I’m finding new ways, sharing plants from our garden and talking to folks struggling with mental health issues on the phone.
Our daughter Cecile (formerly Caila) was in London rehearsing for a band tour when travel restrictions were applied. She flew to Victoria rather than LA where she has been based for the past several years. She has been sound engineering in our converted garage and released a new single last week. Aptly named Pick up the Phone listen at: https://youtu.be/p7RsqVcCxrk
Here are a few other pieces that offer me music therapy right now...
Queen and David Bowie “Under Pressure”: https://youtu.be/YoDh_gHDvkk
Metallica “Nothing Else Matters”: https://youtu.be/tAGnKpE4NCI
Pharrell Williams “Freedom”: https://youtu.be/7oE1SYlEcVg
Handel Messiah Overture first performed in Dublin April 13 1742: https://youtu.be/9YYvyznsqe8
Stay well, love from Maggie