The Forty-third Day: 4 May 2020 (190,584 confirmed infected, 28,734 died, in total)

"People in the capital are the keenest to walk and cycle more once travel restrictions are lifted." – A Survey by Transport Focus and London TravelWatch

The survey shows that about 61% participants in London decided to walk or cycle more after the lockdown measures are lifted, to reduce their use of public transport.

The pandemic has changed so many aspects of life in London, and it seems going to change more. Public transport, especially rail transport, is a pride of this city. Tracks formed its artery, rolling stock defined its pulse. An Oyster Card is a must-have for most residents and tourists to live and sightsee here.

But now, to ensure that one can still live, and can one day go sightseeing again, avoid staying with possible infected person in closed and narrow public transport vehicles is critical. The official number said London’s coronavirus death toll exceeded 5,000 today, making up more than 18 percent of all UK deaths. Life is at risk for each second taking public transport, a risk that nobody would easily say “Chance it!”

Bikes, skateboards, scooters, self-balancing personal transporters would become people’s new picks. Dan still cannot ride a bicycle well (he needs those two auxiliary wheels to help him balance). So Sonne and I took him and his bicycle to the nearest large car park to practice – also his “one exercise a day”.

It was sunny, but windy. We played until dusk. Pink sunset blended into blue sky, orange streetlights could not disperse the creeping darkness and loneness. I suddenly felt cold, from the body to somewhere deep beneath. I called Dan back and we quickly sloped back home.