Category: Corona

Safety as priority

In Belgium during these Covid times we have special measures introduced, just like most other countries.

One of the new rules is that when visiting a cafe, restaurant etc, we need to leave our name and phone number – in case later there is an illness reported, it helps traceability, so we, clients, can be properly warned/informed.

I visited an ice cream salon during the weekend. Not to stay & eat it there of course, just pick up and leave quick.

So I am approaching the salon carefully in a mouth mask… ordering the ice cream in 10 seconds.. pay contactless.. then I move to the last step to give my contact details.

This particular ice cream salon chose to collect data in an open list.

Now you might wonder – once I work in the data protection business – if I made a remark on the fact that I can see all clients’ personal data before me so it’s not completely following requirements of GDPR… but it was the least of my concern this time.

How come?

In the spirit of client health & safety, all customers indeed need to register their personal data — using the same pen.

Spot-the-bear

SPOT THE BEAR!

You know the game, right?

It is being played nowadays all around the world giving a little solace to children who are stuck at home during the Corona lockdown.

The rules are simple: first you go and find some stuffed bears at home, put them in the window on a visible spot, and so when you go for a walk with your children (and other parents with theirs) it makes children happy when they try to spot as many bears as they can.

Such a nice & warm initiative!

Although my children do not show any particular interest in the above activity, my husband seems to be realising rather good progress, as by the end of the 3rd week he was not only able to make a difference with zebras, but sometimes also bunnies, too.

Children and lockdown

This morning:

Me: ‘I see, Sweety, that you’re up to something – what are the plans for today?’

Walter (10): ‘I know you both need to work, so I will play carnival, you see I put pyjama on back to front, and will build a nest below your table. Will not disturb: I’ve brought some books and toys, but I need to return for a 2nd transport.’

Child disease

Yesterday my husband receives a call: the deputy principal of the school informs him that our daughter (14) regularly ignores her homework of one of the school subjects in Google classroom!
My husband suggests the Deputy Principal should clarify it directly with our daughter, so he gives the phone to her.
Deputy Principal: ‘Good morning Noëmi, I am the Deputy Principal from the school and I received the information from your Latin teacher that you totally ignore your homework given on Google classroom on this subject!’
Our daughter: ‘Yes, and I have a good reason to do so.’
Deputy Principal: ‘Ohhyeeees? And what is it if I may ask?’
Our daughter: ‘I do not learn Latin. I belong to the “natural sciences” part of the class. So it must be an administration mistake – could you please indicate it to the Latin teacher, asking her to remove my name from her list?’
Deputy Principal: ‘Oh….. I see…. of course I will align it  with her… sorry…. And, anyway, how are you these days?’
Our daughter: ‘Very fine. All homework I receive from all teachers I always get ready with already on the first day. The rest of the week I keep myself busy with studying other things or relaxing. And how are you yourself?’

Side effects

Our 10-yr-old son’s friend has been with us since yesterday. After today’s full play date, today at least they listened to me and started to study.

I am just going upstairs with some drinks to their floor when I hear the conversation behind the door:

They: ‘Ok, so we have a list of words, let’s see: ‘orgasm’ – what can it be??’

At this point I am very silently turning around tiptoeing downstairs, when the door opens:

My son: ‘Mama, where are you going? Aren’t those drinks for us? Listen, we need your help. What is ‘orgasm’?’

Me: ‘First of all let’s see what the task exactly is, before we would jump on the explanation..’

They: ‘We need to write each word to 1 of the coloumns ‘men’, ‘women’, ‘both’. Is it for both, with each other?’

Me: ‘Yes. I mean no! It can be for 2 men or 2 women as well… or 1… or… But hey, let’s not get stuck at the 1st word, let’s move on to the next one, I say..’

They: ‘Yes, ok, good idea! The 2nd one is ‘e-ja-cu-lation’..’

Giving to 10-yr-old children the sexual education school material – then the next day locking down schools closing children up with their home-office parents for weeks … very funny, dear teachers… very funny..

About Our Newest Mass Social Experiment

Corona – apart from being a ‘medical situation’ – is a nice big social experiment at the same time.

Yesterday my husband went to do the groceries (regular shopping, no extra amount or frequency), among them toilet paper.

Returning home I asked him what he experienced in Delhaize.

He: ‘Some food products are sold out, there I bought something comparable.

Toilet paper is indeed almost completely off. I took the last but one package.’

Btw, I don’t find it a pure coincidence that I had married a guy who finishes the sentence with ‘the last but one package’ instead of ‘the 2 last packages’.

Peace..

Home schooling

Due to Corona virus, the next 3 weeks schools are closed in Belgium, and children are studying from home. They might here and there need some help from the parents – which, in a highly educated family like ours can of course not be a problem.
My son (10) is currently preparing his biology homework: they learn about the female genitals.
He: ‘Mama, I need to fill in this picture with the names of the female genitals, but it’s so difficult..’
Me: ‘No panic, Walter, mama keeps everything under control. I will just look up a similar drawing on the internet in Dutch, and so you can just learn from that one… here we go!’ 
He: ‘Mama… this woman has a penis.’
Me: ‘Ooops, one seconds, I’m looking for another one..’
Home schooling – with slight bumps on the road – so what..