Of course, I have things to do. I need to link the reviews of The Eagle and the Sparrow to the website, yes, I do. The reviews are all great, but I think I am not the first author to find some of them puzzling and others enlightening. Read the book and do your own. All e-formats are 75% off at Smashwords during July, so have a ball. If nothing else, this is a great summer for reading.
Here in Tokyo, we have now been told to Please Go Out Safely. Virtually all businesses have reopened with many precautions standard. This is a new normal and it isn't going away. Japan plans for the long haul, and is creating new standards of operation more by individual action and communication than by any kind of government mandate or even suggestion. "That's a good idea. Let's do the same."
People love teleworking in Japan as much as they seem to everywhere, so I think we will see a huge shift as people just keep doing it as much as they can. This will lead to reductions in needed office space, among many other things, over the long term. There is already a noticeable trend of people moving out of the big cities, to vacation houses, or old family homes, because they can.
One of the funniest things being debated here is the need for reduction in use of the physical hanko or inkan seal, which is used on many documents. People have had to go into their businesses just to seal stacks of documents. Since this is Japan, I suspect they'll figure out a way to use the seal on-line rather than give up the seal. I also suspect electronic communication will at last replace the ever-popular FAX, used more in Japan than anyplace else.
Except, of course, if you do not get your US stimulus money (and I haven't) by a certain date you can now FAX a form to someplace in the US to start the process of replacing it. I have to wait another ten days or so before I can do this, since it hasn't been quite long enough from when it was "scheduled to be mailed."
This week, besides running regular errands, I also met a friend for lunch at the new Ikea in Harajuku to try out their vegan offerings. Social distance markings, barriers, auto-ordering kiosks, and really good food. Harakuku is a trendy fashion district catering mostly to the very young, between Yoyogi Koen, the huge park housing Meiji Shrine and its museums, and the highly upscale Omotesando. So -- what's the latest on the street?
Masks, of course. And here's my Permanent Collection.
These fun breathable masks are made for serious outdoor exercisers. Because they are the veil style that doesn't encircle the chin but rather hangs down in front, it's easier to exercise and your glasses do not fog up in Tokyo's Steam Bath Summer. Since they go around your neck like a scarf, you can just take them off your ears and tuck them in when you eat or drink, just like a scarf. Every so many patterns and colors are available. I got mine from Amazon, but I'm sure many other retailers sell them.
This is also a veil type, in Basic Black. It doesn't hang down quite so far, but it's perfect for comfort and protection when you're the Queen of Neutrals, like me.
These are from Uniqlo. Washable, and made of their wonderful Airism Fabric that works so well in the Steam Bath Summer or sweaty sports any time. Only available in white. Many offices in Japan require white masks only as part of their dress codes, so Basic White is uniformly useful. Did you know Nordstrom is selling something very similar in the US, only in black? I'll probably wear Basic White and Basic Black a lot.
This is despite the colorful collection of ordinary cloth masks I have acquired. When the stores ran out of disposable (reusable for a period if washed with soap) masks, enterprising people with sewing machines got busy and started making fashion-forward fabric masks that they sold in various street market venues. Though the Abe-no-mask, lower right, was promised and did come, market sellers beat them and the official ones are best kept by the door for taking out trash, getting mail and answering the door. These cloth ones don't breath very well, but this isn't going away, and they'll be very useful when cooler weather hits.
These are Buffs, a kind of breathable neck gaiter sweatband/mask also designed for serious outdoor exercisers. I've had these for years and have used them skiing, riding, boating and hiking. They make great helmet liners and can also be pulled up over the face, or in other configurations -- Buff's website shows many options -- to perform a multitude of tasks.
There is absolutely no excuse whatsoever not to wear a mask in Tokyo. Masks are available that don't make your glasses fog and that make breathing easy even when exercising vigorously. I like the veil types a lot -- I don't even know I have them on. People here don't fall for nonsense about "rebreathing carbon monoxide". They've worn masks for years during allergy season or when they have sniffles. Even if you buy that, or if you have some kind of breathing difficulty, there is a mask designed to work for you. They don't have to be ugly -- they can be fun, go with your wardrobe, advertise your favorite beer, turn you into an Action Hero or Character Idol, whatever you want.
On some of us, me included, they improve the visual landscape.
Nobody here feels like their "rights are being threatened." There is no right whatsoever, anywhere, to infect other people with a disease. People here are interested in protecting others, and as others are protecting them, the effect multiplies. This is the secret of Japan's success. People here are doing one of the things Japan does very well: being creative and having fun with a necessity.
You don't have any excuses any more. Just wear a mask.
